Texas fined $250K, apologizes to Georgia, officials for fan behavior

The Texas Longhorns, after issuing an apology earlier Sunday, had been fined $250,000 by the Southeastern Convention for followers throwing trash onto the sector after a controversial cross interference name throughout Saturday’s 30-15 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday evening.

The SEC stated the fantastic was for “interrupting the aggressive alternative for each groups and endangering contest contributors.” It additionally requires Texas to “use all obtainable assets” — together with safety, stadium and tv video — to determine those that threw trash onto the sector or on the Bulldogs — and prohibit them from attending Texas athletics occasions for the rest of the tutorial 12 months.

The SEC stated it will not droop alcohol gross sales privileges for Texas, however the convention reserves the proper to take action if necessities should not met.

“The throwing of particles and ensuing interruption of play that occurred Saturday evening can’t be a part of any SEC occasion,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey stated.

Earlier Sunday, Texas issued an apology to Georgia, the sport officers and to the SEC for the conduct of its followers.

“Whereas we deeply recognize the eagerness and loyalty of our fan base at The College of Texas at Austin, we don’t condone the unsportsmanlike conduct that was exhibited by some people throwing objects onto the sector throughout final evening’s sport and sincerely apologize to the College of Georgia gamers, coaches, and followers, in addition to the Southeastern Convention and officiating crew,” stated a press release from Texas Board of Regents chairman Kevin Eltife, UT president Jay Hartzell and athletic director Chris Del Conte.

“One of these conduct won’t be tolerated.”

Trailing 23-8 within the third quarter, Texas security Jahdae Barron stepped in entrance of Georgia’s Arian Smith and intercepted a cross, returning it 36 yards to the Georgia 9 and giving Texas new life. Officers referred to as cross interference on Barron, nevertheless, and the 15-yard penalty was marked off.

Texas followers booed the decision whereas watching a number of replays on the stadium’s videoboard, and trash began streaming down onto the sector from close to the scholar part, stopping play for a couple of minutes. Whereas Texas coach Steve Sarkisian walked all the best way to the 10-yard line to inform followers to cease, workers members and safety cleaned up the bottles as officers conferred once more.

“I perceive the frustration,” Sarkisian stated after the sport. “All of us had been pissed off within the second. However, … all of Longhorn Nation, I do know we might be higher than that.”

The decision was overturned after the stoppage, which raised issues that the conduct really helped the Longhorns.

“Now we have set a precedent that in the event you throw a bunch of stuff on the sector and endanger athletes that you have an opportunity to get your name reversed,” Georgia coach Kirby Good stated after the sport. “And that is unlucky as a result of, to me, that is harmful. That is not what we wish, and that is not criticizing officers. That is what occurred.”

In a press release early Sunday morning, the SEC stated officers “gathered to debate the play, which is permitted to make sure the right penalty is enforced.”

Early Sunday morning, Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks stated in a submit on X that he was “disillusioned and pissed off” with how the decision was reversed.

“Disagreeing with a singular name is pure and can occur a number of occasions in each soccer sport. I can settle for that,” Brooks stated in his submit. “What I can not settle for is the way wherein this particular name was reversed. The official claimed he erred within the name. My query is when did he notice the error?

“If it was earlier than the delay that occurred as a consequence of followers throwing objects on the sector, what stopped him earlier than the pinnacle official made the announcement and noticed the ball? I’ve religion we, as a convention, will be taught from this and get higher. We should, as a result of within the SEC it simply means extra.”

The SEC stated the dealing with of the penalty was incorrect, however the response ought to have been prevented.

“Whereas the unique analysis and evaluation of the penalty was not correctly executed, it’s unacceptable to have particles thrown on the sector at any time,” the league stated.

In 2021, the SEC fined the Volunteers $250,000 after followers threw objects on the sector in Lane Kiffin’s return towards Tennessee, the place he had previously coached. Followers threw bottles, cans and different projectiles on the Ole Miss sideline, together with a golf ball that hit Kiffin. Tennessee had simply been stopped on fourth down after a questionable spot by officers.

The SEC stated it can require Texas to evaluation its sport administration procedures and alcohol availability insurance policies and supply a report back to the league workplace on the way it recognized and penalized offenders and its plan to forestall future incidents.

“We recognize the help of Longhorn Nation and are assured that, transferring ahead, we are going to proceed to signify our college with pleasure and respect,” the assertion stated.

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach and The Related Press contributed to this report.