The University of Mississippi football program has been fined for the actions of spectators who threw debris on the field during Saturday's game against Georgia at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford.
The SEC announced Monday it was fining Ole Miss $250,000 following the game between top 10 teams that Number 2 Georgia dominated, 42-7. Commissioner Greg Sankey cited the sportsmanship, game management and alcohol availability policies established by the SEC, according to a news release cited by The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.
The game was delayed roughly five minutes in the second quarter after fans threw trash onto the field in protest of an officiating call. Halfway through the second quarter, an interception by Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton was erased when Ole Miss defensive lineman Jordan Renaud was called for a roughing the passer penalty. Most of the trash was thrown in the north end zone that is nearest to the Ole Miss student section.
While the SEC is not suspending alcohol sales privileges as part of its punishment of Ole Miss, the conference made it clear in its release that it reserves the right to do so, stating, "The actions taken by the Conference are consistent with SEC Bylaws and Commissioner’s Regulations related to the availability of alcoholic beverages at athletics events which state, 'If cans or plastic bottles are used as projectiles or otherwise cause game management issues, the institution is subject to an immediate fine and suspension of the alcohol sales privilege.”
