10/21/24 01:17:00
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10/21 13:16 CDT Texas fans must use better discretion after SEC fine for debris
thrown on field, Sarkisian says
Texas fans must use better discretion after SEC fine for debris thrown on
field, Sarkisian says
By JIM VERTUNO
AP Sports Writer
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) --- Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Monday the No. 5
Longhorns have a "passionate fanbase" that needs to use "better discretion"
after the school was fined and threatened with further sanctions by the
Southeastern Conference over fans throwing water bottles and trash on the field
during the loss to No. 1 Georgia.
Texas fans pelted the field in the third quarter Saturday night after an
apparent pass interference penalty against the Longhorns, prompting the game to
be briefly delayed for cleanup before the penalty was ultimately reversed.
Sarkisian during the game went on the field at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial
Stadium to implore fans to stop throwing things.
"I know that we've got a passionate fanbase and I think that showed Saturday
night. I think we all were a little upset in that moment. I just think that
we've all got to use a little better discretion in moments like that,"
Sarkisian said.
"We don't want that to be the narrative that that's what DKR is all about,"
Sarkisian said. "It was too good of a football game for that to be the focal
point of it all. I think in the end they got it (the penalty reversal) right."
School administrators and SEC officials condemned the acts on Sunday.
After finding the officials made the correct call, the SEC fined Texas $250,000
and said the school must meet requirements assigned by SEC Commissioner Greg
Sankey.
Those requirements include using available resources to find and suspend fans
who threw debris on the field or at Georgia's sideline, reviewing alcohol
availability policies and providing a report of the school's findings to the
SEC.
The SEC did not suspended Texas' alcohol sales, but said it can if the
Longhorns don't meet their requirements.
Texas issued a joint statement from Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife,
President Jay Hartzell and athletic director Chris Del Conte that condemned the
bottle-throwing and apologized to Georgia players and staff, the SEC and game
officials.
"This type of behavior will not be tolerated," the statement said. "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."
Texas has not said what those steps will be.
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