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SEC hands Ole Miss, LSU huge fines for fans storming field, throwing trash (Video)
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SEC hands Ole Miss, LSU huge fines for fans storming field, throwing trash (Video)

Southeastern Conference fines continue to mount, with the SEC handing out fines to two more schools this week. The conference announced Monday that Ole Miss and LSU were heavily fined as a result of the behavior of the fans last weekend.

Ole Miss fined $350,000 for fans storming field after a 28-10 win over No. 2 Georgia. LSU was fined $250,000 after fans disrupted the Tigers’ 42-13 loss at Alabama by throwing garbage on the ground; LSU also risks losing its alcohol sales privileges if it doesn’t meet a number of additional requirements, according to the SEC.

Field assault fines are paid to the opposing school, meaning Ole Miss will have to pay the $350,000 to Georgia. Other fines—including littering—are paid into the SEC’s graduate scholarship fund.

Ole Miss fans stormed the field (twice) after the win over Georgia. The No. 16 Rebels crushed a late Georgia comeback to earn the school’s first home win over a team ranked in the top two of the AP poll. The fans also toppled both goalposts in triumph.

According to the SEC, the school was fined $250,000 for the attack itself because the incident was a second offense — Ole Miss fans storming the field after a last-second win over LSU in September 2023.

Ole Miss was fined an additional $100,000 because fans disrupted the final seconds of the game: Fans entered the field before the Bulldogs’ final drive with 16 seconds left and had to be removed from the field for Georgia to can do a moment.

Beyond just the tough loss to Alabama, LSU fans throwing debris could have triggered a bigger punishment for the school. According to the SEC release, LSU will be required to identify those who threw objects and ban them from LSU sporting events for the remainder of the academic year, as well as review game management and the school’s alcohol policy, in addition to the fine.

The SEC, which has the right to revoke a school’s right to sell alcohol at games, is not suspending LSU’s alcohol sales, but said in the statement that it will do so if LSU does not comply with those requirements.

The SEC has already handed out more than $1 million in fines so far this season. In October, both Vanderbilt and Arkansas received six-figure fines for storming the field after big wins, Arkansas being flagged for a second offense.

The SEC increased fines for fans storming fields and courts in 2023. Under current guidelines, a first offense results in a $100,000 fine, a second costs the school $250,000 and a third $500,000.