The Southeastern Conference announced Tuesday that Ole Miss was handed a $5,000 fine for violating the league’s policy on access to competition areas when Rebel fans ran on the field at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium following a 41-27 win over Mississippi State in this past Saturday’s Egg Bowl.
Ole Miss athletic director Ross Bjork said he knew the fine would be handed down, and they were prepared to handle the situation inside the stadium Saturday night.
“We could sense the energy and the burst of excitement that our fans were having in the second half,” Bjork said. “We anticipated that they would try to rush the field — the students and fans. So we made a conscious decision to do it as safe as possible and protect Mississippi State and the officials the best way we could and let our fans celebrate.”
It was the first time Ole Miss had violated the policy since it was implemented in 2004. The policy imposes penalties for violations in football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball. A second offense within the next three years would result in a fine of $25,000, while each subsequent one would result in a $50,000 fine.
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