SEC fines South Carolina $500,000 after field rush

The Southeastern Conference fined South Carolina $500,000 after fans rushed the field following the Gamecocks’ 27-24 victory over Tennessee, with the money payable to the Volunteers under conference policy. The SEC announced the penalty on Sunday, October 25. The conference policy sets a $500,000 penalty for spectators entering competition areas. It directs schools to limit access to those areas for the safety of players, coaches, officials and spectators. The fine is the largest reported for the weekend’s field rushes, which followed wins by several other teams. The policy allows Commissioner Greg Sankey to reduce South Carolina’s fine to $100,000 if the school proves it made a full effort to prevent the rush, few people entered the competition area and interaction with visiting personnel was minimal. The conference has not announced whether it will reduce the penalty. South Carolina won on Malik Orsan’s 48-yard field goal as time expired. The kick capped a late comeback after Tennessee had taken a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter. South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers ran for the tying touchdown, and a Tennessee fumble gave the Gamecocks the opportunity to...