AUSTIN, Texas — Coach Steve Sarkisian of the No. 5 Texas Longhorns expressed concern on Monday regarding the behavior of the team’s fanbase after the school was penalized for fan misconduct during the recent game against No. 1 Georgia. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has imposed a fine and warned of possible future penalties due to incidents involving fans who threw water bottles and debris onto the field during the match, particularly after a contentious pass interference call against Texas in the third quarter.

The game experienced a temporary stoppage for cleanup after these disruptive actions, which occurred following a penalty call that was later overturned. During the match at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Sarkisian took the initiative to step onto the field, urging fans to cease their actions in a moment of frustration.

“We certainly have a dedicated fanbase that showed its passion Saturday night, but it’s important that we all exercise better judgment in such moments,” Sarkisian remarked about the situation. He emphasized that it would be unfortunate for the narrative surrounding the game to revolve around the fans’ actions rather than the thrilling contest taking place. Ultimately, he expressed satisfaction with the correctness of the final call after the review.

Following the incidents, SEC officials and university representatives expressed their disapproval. The SEC assessed the penalty call against Texas and found it to be accurate, resulting in a $250,000 fine for the school. The SEC outlined several requirements that Texas is expected to fulfill, which include investigating and identifying fans who engaged in throwing objects, reviewing policies regarding alcohol sales, and reporting the findings back to the SEC.

While the SEC has not yet suspended alcohol sales at Texas games, it has indicated that such measures could be implemented if the university fails to comply with their outlined requirements. In response to the incidents, university leaders, including Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife, President Jay Hartzell, and athletic director Chris Del Conte, issued a statement denouncing the behavior of throwing objects and expressed regret to the Georgia players, SEC officials, and the referees involved.

“This kind of conduct is unacceptable,” the unified statement declared. “We are dedicated to creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone involved—teams, officials, fans—and we are committed to taking necessary actions to prevent such behavior in the future.”

Details about the specific measures Texas will implement remain undisclosed.