• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 20, 2025

Texas Fined for Fans Throwing Trash on Field in Georgia Loss

  • The Southeastern Conference fines Texas $250,000 after fans litter the stadium to protest a penalty call.
  • Formula One’s U.S. Grand Prix finishes with far less drama.
Syndication: Austin American-Statesman

Austin’s big sports weekend, filled with excitement and expectation going into it, ended instead with unexpected fan conduct, recriminations, apologies, and even a fine. 

The hometown Texas Longhorns, college football’s No. 1 team heading into the weekend, lost on the field 30-15 to No. 5 Georgia on Saturday night, sinking the top ranking to a No. 5 slot in new polls released Sunday. It was much worse in the stands, though, as Longhorns fans littered the north end of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium with water bottles and trash to protest a pass-interference penalty that wiped out a defensive interception for Texas.

Officials soon reversed the call, and the Southeastern Conference later confirmed that there was no penalty on the play. But that’s hardly the end of the story as both the conference and University of Texas officials condemned the behavior and the SEC levied a $250,000 fine on the Longhorns. That amount is consistent with a conference fine on Tennessee in 2021 for similar fan behavior after former Volunteers coach Lane Kiffin returned to Knoxville while coaching Ole Miss. 

“The throwing of debris and resulting interruption of play that took place Saturday night cannot be part of any SEC event,” conference commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement.

Additionally, Texas will be required to identify individuals, where possible, who threw debris and ban them from university athletic events for the remainder of the 2024-2025 academic year. The Longhorns also must review their game management procedures and alcohol policies.

Prior to these sanctions, Georgia coach Kirby Smart went further, suggesting fans are now emboldened in a new way to protest game officials’ decisions.

“I will say now we have a precedent that if you throw a bunch of stuff on the field and endanger athletes, you’ve got a chance to get your call reversed,” he said after the game. 

The conduct and the loss bring an unfortunate turn to Texas’s season in which it achieved its first No. 1 ranking since 2008, coinciding with the university’s first campaign in the SEC.

“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 fans,” said several school officials, including president Jay Hartzell and athletic director Chris Del Conte, in a statement.

Race Matters

Formula One’s U.S. Grand Prix Sunday at the Circuit of the Americas, conversely, was a much calmer affair, with Charles Leclerc claiming the race. Fellow Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz finished second. Lando Norris originally finished third, but was assessed a five-second penalty for forcing Max Verstappen off the track, allowing the current F1 leader for 2024 to instead claim the spot for the race. 

Final attendance numbers for the three-day race weekend have yet to be released. But strong crowds were seen throughout, and the total is likely to at least challenge last year’s 432,000, if not surpass it. In addition to the motorsports action itself, race festival events included headlining concerts by Sting and Eminem.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Beyond Ohio State, It’s Another Massive Shake-Up in the CFB Top 25

Nine of the top 10 teams changed positions in Week 9.

Florida, Colorado State Firings Push CFB Buyouts Past $100M

Nine FBS head coaches have been fired since the season started.
@chef__tezz/Instagram

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”

Featured Today

May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
October 16, 2025

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 20, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium.

Belichick’s UNC Saga Now Includes GM Trip to Saudi Arabia

UNC GM Michael Lombardi traveled to Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Semaj Morgan (0) makes a catch for a first down in the first half against the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
October 16, 2025

Michigan Board Publicly Opposes Big Ten Investment Proposal

“The Big Ten does not need to be sold to save college sports.”
Cignetti
October 17, 2025

Curt Cignetti Lands Third Contract in Just 19 Games With Indiana

Cignetti signed a new contract five days after Indiana upset Oregon.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Tortillas
October 16, 2025

Texas Tech-Kansas Tortilla-Knife Mess Ends With $50K in Fines

Texas Tech’s tortilla tradition got both teams in trouble.
Oct 14, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel.
October 15, 2025

SEC Coaches Sound Off on NIL, Revenue-Sharing: ‘Upside Down’

John Calipari doesn’t want to become “transactional.”
Cody Campbell
October 15, 2025

Texas Tech Booster Cody Campbell Slams Conference PE Deals

Campbell said the concept goes against “all the laws of finance.”
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) takes the ball on a kickoff return in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
October 14, 2025

USC, Michigan Officials Oppose Big Ten’s Private Capital Proposal 

Officials from both schools met virtually on Tuesday.