Texas releases results of bottle throwing investigation vs. Georgia which drew $250K fine

Days before the highly-anticipated rematch between budding SEC rivals Georgia and Texas in Saturday’s SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, the University of Texas released its findings from an internal investigation into unruly Longhorns fans that interrupted the Oct. 19 game in Austin.

Not that it resulted in any punishment, outside of the hefty $250,000 fine the SEC levied against Texas for the incident, according to the Associated Press.

The chaotic scene involved Longhorns fans pelting the Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium playing field with bottles and other debris following a controversial pass interference penalty that was ultimately overturned by officials in the 30-15 win for the Bulldogs.

“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,” Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte wrote in the report sent to SEC offices last month, via the AP.

A review of what led to Texas fans halting play vs. Georgia

The play that resulted in the wild game-halting incident involved Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron intercepting a third-quarter pass from Georgia quarterback Carson Beck and returning it 36 yards to the UGA 9-yard-line. It was a potential momentum-shifting play with the Bulldogs nursing a 23-8 lead with roughly 3 minutes remaining in the frame.

But SEC officials initially ruled defensive pass interference and called the interception back, prompting angry Longhorns fans located near the stadium’s student section to throw bottles and other trash onto the field, forcing officials to halt play until the debris was removed. The delay ultimately worked in Texas’ favor as officials used the additional time to review the interception and reversed the penalty.

The Longhorns scored two plays later to cut the Bulldogs’ advantage to 23-15 on a 17-yard touchdown run from running back Jaydon Blue following a Quinn Ewers sack by Georgia defensive lineman Mykel Williams on first down.

“I think in the end, they got it right. And how they got to that point, I don’t know exactly (how) they conferred on that thing,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said the following Monday. “But I think they got the call right and I think that’s all we want when we’re playing the game is consistency as coaches, and then getting calls correct, and I think they got the call correct.”

Texas officials release joint statement condemning fan behavior

In the days following the game, Texas officials condemned the actions of its fans in a joint statement from UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife, UT President Jay Hartzell, and Del Conte, apologizing and promising a thorough review involving video.

Of course, that review resulted in no finding of guilt or responsibility for any Longhorns fans.

A University of Texas spokesman told the AP he was unaware of any new information or punishments since it was sent to the SEC, and Del Conte did not respond to a request seeking comment.

In the report released to the AP, Del Conte told the SEC that Texas added additional security cameras and personnel to watch the student section, updated its sportsmanship and fan code of conduct policies, and created digital messaging to encourage good behavior.

“Respect, sportsmanship and fairness are values that drive us,” Del Conte wrote, according to the AP. “We expect fans to uphold these standards as well.”