SEC levies significant fine against Arkansas after fans storm field following Tennessee upset

Arkansas has been fined $250,000 by the SEC after its fans stormed the field following Saturday’s 19-14 win over Tennessee. It’s the Razorbacks second offense since the policy change, which corresponds with a $250,000 fine.

The first offense levies a $100,000 while a third offense would cost an SEC team a whopping $500,000.

It was the first home victory over a top-five opponent since the turn of the century and improved the Hogs to 4-2 on the season. One week after taking a ranked Texas A&M squad to the wire on the road, Razorbacks fans were highly anticipating this matchup and their team came through for them.

Storming the field has cost the Razorbacks, quite literally. However, it’s likely a check the administration is happy to sign after securing their signature win of the season in Week 6.

Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman was interviewed postgame amid the sea of Arkansas fans and joked about the matter.

“I think the AD is going to be mad,” Pittman said of Hunter Yurachek. “Or maybe he won’t be, I don’t know. Right now, I don’t care. Go Hogs, go Hogs, baby.”

That appeared to be the consensus opinion for most Arkansas fans at that moment. It was a validating win for the Razorbacks, who finished last season 4-8 and missed out on bowl contention for the fifth time in seven years.

Saturday’s win was the second field storming that Pittman has been a part of as Arkansas head coach. The first came in 2021, his second season with the program, after a 40-21 win over Texas. They were subsequently fined $100,000 for the celebration.

After being issued the fine for the Tennessee win, Arkansas will look to keep this momentum going with a second-straight win over a ranked SEC opponent as they welcome LSU to Fayetteville. However, they’ll be on their bye week in Week 7 and will have to wait until Oct. 19 to get their hands on the Tigers.

For now, Arkansas and their fanbase get to enjoy this upset victory, which was just one of several throughout the SEC in Week 6. Not only did Tennessee lose, but Alabama‘s loss to Vanderbilt and Missouri‘s loss to Texas A&M have turned the current SEC standings on its head.

How the rest of the season schedule plays out remains to be seen but at 2-1, Arkansas is in a great position heading into the back stretch of the regular season.