Report: Big 12 will issue two warnings before a penalty for objects thrown onto playing surface

On Thursday, Big 12 commissioners voted to solidify an existing game management policy related to the throwing of items onto the playing surface, per Yahoo! Sports‘ Ross Dellenger. The vote was 15-1.

“A team will receive warnings for the first two violations in a game before 15-yard penalties could begin,” Dellenger wrote on X. “The move most impacts Texas Tech, whose fans hold a tradition of tossing tortillas onto the field, most notably during opening kickoff. The policy will allow for tortillas to be thrown at opening kickoff but will result in a warning. A third incident may result in a penalty.”

Texas Tech fans occasionally threw more than just tortillas on the field last season. The Red Raiders came under fire last season when their fans threw water bottles, food and other trash on the field during Texas Tech’s 41-27 loss to Colorado.

There were so many random items being thrown on the field that Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire had to come on the PA system and plead with fans to relent during the fourth quarter. After the game, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders discussed the issue.

“They were throwing everything but my mama at me,” Sanders said. “But when they start throwing the water bottles and those other objects, that’s when you’ve got to alarm the officials, and say, ‘OK now, tortillas are one thing, but water bottles are another thing. That’s getting a little crazy.'”

Nonetheless, Texas Tech wasn’t penalized for its fans’ behavior. The Red Raiders won’t be so fortunate in the future. In fairness, the Big 12 wasn’t the only conference plagued by rowdy fans last season.

In Georgia‘s 30-15 win over Texas on the road during the regular season, Longhorns fans tossed bottles and other trash on the field in reaction to a controversial pass interference call. While the SEC failed to identify any of the culprits who threw objects on the field, they didn’t allow the behavior to go unpunished.

The conference leveled a hefty $250,000 fine on Texas for its fans’ actions. Texas Board of Regents chairman Kevin Eltife, president Jay Hartzell and athletic director Chris Del Conte released a joint statement addressing Longhorns fans.

“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 individuals throwing objects onto the field during last night’s game and sincerely apologize to the University of Georgia players, coaches, and fans, as well as the Southeastern Conference and officiating crew,” the statement read.