AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Southeastern Conference fined the University of Texas $250,000 and charged the school to “use all available resources” to identify and ban fans who threw trash onto the field during Saturday’s football game against Georgia.
In addition to the fine, Texas must use security, stadium and television cameras to figure out who threw trash onto the field or at players and ban them from all Texas Athletics events for the rest of the 2024-25 year. Texas also must “review and update its Athletics Department game management procedures and alcohol availability policies to prevent a recurrence of Saturday night’s disruption,” for submission to the conference for approval.
“The throwing of debris and resulting interruption of play that took place Saturday night cannot be part of any SEC event,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said. He was at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium to see Georgia beat the Longhorns 30-15 .
“The SEC is assigned responsibility by its membership to enforce its sportsmanship and game management policies and these actions are consistent with that oversight responsibility, including the financial penalty and mandated reviews,” Sankey said.
Frustrated Texas fans launched water bottles and other debris onto the field after what appeared to be an interception and big return by Longhorns defensive back Jahdae Barron in the third quarter, only to be initially called back due to a defensive pass interference penalty. Trash started raining down onto the field from the north and northwest side of the stadium, where the student section is located, and Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian rushed over and yelled at them to stop, waving his arms frantically.
Once stadium personnel cleaned up the trash, the officials convened to discuss the penalty, and according to the SEC, the official that threw the flag said it was a mistake and the foul shouldn’t have been called. Referee Matt Loeffler announced that “after discussion” it was determined there wasn’t a penalty on Barron, and the interception and return counted. Texas scored two plays later and cut Georgia’s lead to 23-15.
The SEC said it won’t suspend alcohol sales at Texas events, but “reserves the right to do so if other requirements … are not met.”
Texas administration issued an apology for the incident Monday, saying “this type of behavior will not be tolerated.”
While we deeply appreciate the passion and loyalty of our fan base at The University of Texas at Austin, we do not condone the unsportsmanlike conduct that was exhibited by some individuals throwing objects onto the field during last night’s game and sincerely apologize to the University of Georgia players, coaches, and fans, as well as the Southeastern Conference and officiating crew. This type of behavior will not be tolerated.
Respect, sportsmanship, and fairness are the values that drive our program, and we expect all of our fans to uphold these standards. We are committed to fostering a positive environment for all participants, teams, officials, and fans, and we will take steps to ensure that this type of behavior does not happen again.
We appreciate the support of Longhorn Nation and are confident that, moving forward, we will continue to represent our university with pride and respect.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
UT System Board of Regents chairman Kevin Eltife, UT president Jay Hartzell and UT athletics director Chris Del Conte
Texas plays Vanderbilt at 3:15 p.m., Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee.