ATHENS - Georgia’s 42-7 rout of Ole Miss came with a costly aftermath for the Rebels.
On Monday, the Southeastern Conference announced a $250,000 fine against Ole Miss for fans “throwing debris onto the field,” according to the league’s statement. The SEC also said the game in Oxford marked the third time since 2024 that Georgia has dealt with drinks, trash or other items being thrown onto the field during play or after a game.
The scene at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium turned chaotic during the first half, especially on the north end where Ole Miss students were involved. The game was halted several times as Ole Miss repeatedly urged fans to stop tossing objects and warned that doing so could lead to arrest.
That didn’t fully stop it. After pass interference and rouging the passer calls went against the Rebels, fans continued throwing objects onto the field for minutes.
The SEC tied its response to its alcohol policy, noting that the league can fine schools and suspend alcohol sales when cans or plastic bottles are used as projectiles or create game-management problems.
“If cans or plastic bottles are used as projectiles or otherwise cause game management issues, the institution is subject to an immediate fine and suspension of the alcohol sales privilege,” the policy reads.
For now, Ole Miss will keep its alcohol sales privilege. The SEC said it would not suspend sales “at this time but reserves the right to do so in the future.”
The game itself was one-way traffic. No.
2 Georgia held No. 10 Ole Miss to seven points, limited quarterback Trinidad Chambliss to under 200 passing yards and kept him out of the end zone for the first time in his Ole Miss career.
Afterward, Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton told Dawg Post that the stoppages did not affect the Bulldogs.
Kirby Smart also downplayed the comparison to another road environment Georgia has already seen this season. The Bulldogs were hit by a barrage of drinks in their 2024 win at Texas, and earlier this season Alabama fans threw debris at Georgia players as they left the field after the Dawgs’ 20-17 win at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
After the Ole Miss game, Smart said the reaction in Oxford was not on that level.
“I saw some little small ice. I don't know what they were.
But I didn't see bottles. It didn't seem like Texas to me,” he said.
“I thought they could've kept playing, but that's what it is. I mean, people want to do that - not very smart.
But it's interrupting a good game.”
Georgia returns to action Saturday in Athens against Missouri.
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