Tennessee Fined $250K for Fan Behavior in Loss vs. Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss

The SEC has docked the University of Tennessee $250,000 after fans threw objects onto the field and at the opposing team during and after the Volunteers' 31-26 loss to Ole Miss at Knoxville's Neyland Stadium last Saturday.

Tennessee's reprimand includes other requirements:

Of note, Tennessee is required to use all available resources to identify individuals who threw objects. Eighteen arrests and 47 ejections occurred at Saturday's game alone, a UT Police Department spokesperson told Adam Sparks of the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Tennessee released a statement regarding the fan behavior, per Mike Wilson of the Knoxville News Sentinel:

"I was in communication with Commissioner Sankey throughout the weekend, and we discussed a variety of things that took place Saturday night. As I stated after the game, the actions that led to the temporary stoppage of play were unacceptable. The conduct of a small percentage of fans has led to unfortunate consequences on multiple fronts. While I don’t believe that conduct is representative of the Tennessee fanbase as a whole, I understand this imperative action by the league. Safety is paramount."

"Some elements of what the league office has instructed were already in motion, as a review of in-venue video began this weekend. Internally—and in collaboration with our campus partners—we’ll continue to evaluate accountability measures and develop an action and education plan for future games."

Items thrown onto the field included soda bottles, beer cans, pizza boxes, vape pens, liquor bottles, hot dogs, a mustard bottle and a yellow golf ball, per Wilson.

The golf ball struck Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, who also said he was hit by bottles that contained a brown substance:

He also snagged a full water bottle as he walked to the tunnel:

The object throwing started after officials ruled Tennessee tight end Jacob Warren just short of the first-down marker on a 4th-and-24 play late in the fourth quarter. Ole Miss was set to get the ball back up 31-26, but the fan behavior forced a 20-minute stoppage.

Order was restored, and Ole Miss held on for the win.

Tennessee's next home game will be against No. 1 Georgia on Saturday, November 13.