You only get one chance to make a first impression, and Texas fans dropped the ball a bit in their first season in the SEC.
In last year’s regular season meeting between the Longhorns and Georgia Bulldogs on October 19, 2024, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Longhorns fans caused a fracas. After a controversial pass interference call, fans threw trash onto the field, holding up play and delaying the game. Ultimately, the penalty was overturned.
The incident didn’t seriously affect the outcome, as Georgia went on to win 30-15 in the matchup between two teams destined for the SEC championship game. However, it did irk Texas’ new home conference.
The SEC fined the Longhorns $250,000 for the debacle. Although the conference sought bans for the offending fans, no individuals were ultimately punished.
This time around, the much-anticipated Texas vs. Georgia game will be played “between the hedges” at Sanford Stadium, as the Longhorns travel to Georgia for their first road game in Athens. While the environment won’t be hospitable, hopefully, the bottles will stay in the stands during these two teams’ third matchup in the past 13 months.
### Why Did Texas Fans Throw Bottles vs. Georgia?
Texas’ game against Georgia was not going their way. With the score 23-8 and 3:18 left in the third quarter, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck threw an errant pass intended for Arian Smith. The pass was undercut and intercepted by Texas’ Jahdae Barron.
Barron returned the interception inside the Georgia 10-yard line, but the play was called back due to pass interference on Barron. As Georgia prepared to run the next play, bottles were thrown onto the field from the student section behind Georgia’s end zone, delaying the game.
As the bottles were cleared, officials conferred and eventually overturned the penalty, giving Texas the ball at the Georgia 9-yard line. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was irate after the reversal, which ultimately led to a Texas touchdown—the Longhorns’ final points of the game.
### Texas Fined by SEC for Trash-Throwing Incident
Texas was handed a hefty $250,000 fine by the SEC for their fans’ behavior during the game. The Longhorns apologized to Georgia and the officials for the disruption.
“The throwing of debris and resulting interruption of play that took place Saturday night cannot be part of any SEC event,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.
A joint statement from Texas leadership added:
“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.”
– Kevin Eltife, Texas Board of Regents Chairman
– Jay Hartzell, UT President
– Chris Del Conte, Athletic Director
Though the SEC sought to identify and ban the responsible fans, Texas was unable to do so. “Despite our best effort, we have not been able to identify the individuals at issue. We will take action if new identifying information comes to light,” Del Conte wrote in a report, according to ESPN.
As Texas and Georgia prepare for their upcoming showdown at Sanford Stadium, all eyes will be on both teams — on and off the field — hoping for a clean, competitive game free from past controversies.
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/texas-vs-georgia-revisiting-longhorns-110715740.html
