SEC slaps Kentucky with hefty fine for field-storming after Florida takedown

The Kentucky Wildcats won’t regret it, but the SEC handed them a quarter-million dollar fine on Monday for storming the field on Saturday. The Wildcats took down the Florida Gators for the first time at home since 1986.

Naturally, the historic 20-13 win called for the fans (including rapper Waka Flocka) to rush the field. However, since it is the Wildcats’ third violation of the “access to competition area” policy, it comes with a $250,000 price tag.

With the win, Kentucky moves to 5-0 on the season, while Florida drops to 3-2 with losses to Kentucky and Alabama.

The SEC strictly enforces the competition area policy. For a first violation, the fine is $50,000. The second violation incurs a $100,000 fine.

“Access to competition areas shall be limited to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel and properly-credentialed individuals at all times. For the safety of participants and spectators alike, at no time before, during or after a contest shall spectators be permitted to enter the competition area. It is the responsibility of each member institution to implement procedures to ensure compliance with this policy.”

Kentucky last received a fine for storming the field after a win over Mississippi State in 2018. Despite the time that’s passed since the last field storming incident, the clock does not reset. The fine money goes to a worthy cause at least – the SEC’s Post-Graduate Scholarship fund.

Kentucky joins Arkansas with field-storming penalty

Kentucky is not the first SEC program to incur a big fine for field storming this season.

After Arkansas beat old Southwestern Conference rival Texas in Week 2 and fans stormed the field, the Hogs paid up on a $100,000 bill. Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek was more than happy to fork it over for the historic win.

Saturday marked just the third win for Kentucky over Florida since the last home win in 1986.

Kentucky entered the game unranked despite a 4-0 record. The Wildcats now improve to 5-0 and 3-0 in SEC play. They’re No. 16 in the country now, the fourth-highest ranked SEC program in the AP Top 25 heading into Week 6.

If the Wildcats win one more conference game, they will match their total from 2020. That chance will come next Saturday when they host LSU at 7:30 p.m. ET.