The 2024 kickoff gifted fans some embarrassing moments. Wait, let me just rephrase that. More than college football, it was the fans who created shameful moments. It started with the Vanderbilt Commodores taking away the goalposts after crushing Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama. Well, that could still be passed off as keeping some memorabilia from a magical evening, but what Texas Longhorns fans did has no excuse. Analyst Paul Finebaum weighed in with his take on the unfortunate incident. Meanwhile, head coach Steve Sarkisian was already looking for a place to hide after receiving a message for his fans, having to pay out $250k.

After all, no one expected fans of a No.1 program to behave so wildly. The Longhorns lost to Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs in their own building, 30-15. With only three minutes left on the clock, Sarkisian’s team intercepted a pass that was later called back due to a very questionable pass interference. The Texas fans’ anger spiked, and they couldn’t wait to vent their rage on social media. Instead, they expressed their fury by throwing whatever they could get their hands on—water bottles and beer cans—onto the field. It was time for Finebaum’s take on the disgraceful act as he shared on The Audible with Stew & Bruce. The critic tagged it as. “It was really disgusting and disgraceful moment…it was a terrible look for everyone.”

He further dished out a harsh comment, stating, “It looked like the crowd influence and the outcome that’s for third world universes not for college football.” That was enough to stir Sarkisian and his team. By now, college football fans have learned just how brutal Finebaum can be when it comes to criticism.

For instance, he had thrown Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes under the bus when he commented, “Colorado is worthless. They don’t mean anything in the world of college football.” While it has been common for the Buffs to be verbally hit by Finebaum, Sarkisian was new to his scrutiny. Already, the Longhorns’ head coach has been paying for the fans’ faults.

Steve Sarkisian’s damage control after fans rage 

When are penalties ever without controversy? This time too has been no exception. However, the Longhorns could have handled things more tactfully. As stated by SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, “The throwing of debris and resulting interruption of play that took place Saturday night cannot be part of any SEC event.”

Immediately after the game, the SEC announced a $250K to be paid by Sarkisian’s program. Later on, the Longhorns issued a joint statement promising their commitment “to fostering a positive environment for all participants, teams, officials and fans” and not to repeat this behavior anytime in the future. After the statement, it was then Sarkisian’s turn to address the mishap. He started with, “I understand the frustration.” However, even then what is wrong is wrong as the coach highlighted, “We all were frustrated in the moment. But, you know … all of Longhorn Nation, I know we can be better than that.” 

The SEC also fined Tennessee $100,000 on October 20 when fans stormed the field after crushing Alabama 24-17. But when it’s the No.1 program, Texas Longhorns, the expectations are lofty. So it’s high time for Steve Sarkisian to buckle up and give his fans a class on the chapter, “How to Behave on the Field.”

Meanwhile, if you’re interested in NIL and NFL, check out the latest episode of the Think Tank podcast.