Big 12 fines Texas Tech for storming field after upset win over Texas
Texas Tech fans might still be celebrating as a new college football week begins and for good reason. On Saturday, it was a full-on party in Lubbock after defeating Texas for what could have been their final road trip out west. The Red Raiders pulled the win off in dramatic fashion, kicking a game-winning field goal in overtime.
Once the kick went through the uprights, fans began storming the field from all directions. Before you knew it, thousands of people were on the playing surface, going crazy over the win. While it’s fun in the moment, there are consequences for the athletic department afterward.
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The Big 12 is fining Texas Tech $50,000 of the field storming, the conference announced on Monday. Commissioner Brent Yormark released a statement, saying the Red Raiders’ athletic department failed in “ensuring the safety and security” of people on the field.
“We have a duty to provide a safe game environment,” said Yormark. “The Texas Tech Department of Athletics has a written event management policy that, while well thought out, was unsuccessful in ensuring the safety and security of all visiting team student-athletes, officials, coaches and staff.
“There is zero tolerance for any act that compromises the safety of game participants, and it is of utmost importance that home game management provide adequate security measures for our student-athletes, coaches, game officials and spectators.”
Rushing the field is nothing new for Texas Tech, who are always good for the occasional upset win at Jones AT&T Stadium. However, the price has been set in stone by the Big 12 and the athletic department must fork over the fine.
Texas Tech releases statement after fan pushes Texas player
Storming the field can be a fun experience for fans but there are dangerous aspects to it. One came to life in Lubbock on Saturday, with a Texas Tech fan pushing over a Texas player while celebrating. Ovie Oghoufo was shoved while leaving the field.
Texas Tech released a statement on the situation, saying the case has been turned over to their police department. The program wants to identify the fan in question and eventually, “take further action.”
“A video clip of a fan pushing a University of Texas student-athlete was recently brought to our attention,” read the school’s official statement. “This behavior is unacceptable and Texas Tech Athletics has turned the matter over to the Texas Tech Police Department. We will work together to identify the fan and take further action.”