Georgia’s win over Ole Miss was already lopsided. By Monday, it had picked up another cost for the Rebels.
The Southeastern Conference announced a $250,000 fine against Ole Miss after fans were found to have thrown debris onto the field during Saturday’s game in Oxford. The league said the punishment came after “throwing debris onto the field,” and added that the school will not lose its alcohol sales privilege “at this time but reserves the right to do so in the future.”
The scene at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium was messy enough to force repeated stoppages. Ole Miss asked fans multiple times to stop tossing objects onto the field and warned that doing so could lead to arrest, but that didn’t end the flurry of items being thrown, especially from students on the north end of the stadium. The disruption came after pass interference and roughing the passer calls against the Rebels.
The SEC also pointed to its policy on alcohol sales at league events. “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.
On the field, No. 2 Georgia handled No.
10 Ole Miss with ease, rolling to a 42-7 victory. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was held under 200 passing yards and did not throw a touchdown for the first time in his Ole Miss career.
Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton said after the game that the stoppages didn’t affect the Bulldogs. Georgia players and staff huddled near their sideline, away from the stands, while the game was paused.
The Bulldogs have now dealt with similar situations before. In 2024, Georgia was hit by a wild barrage of drinks during its win at Texas, and earlier this season Alabama fans threw debris at Georgia players as they left the field after the Bulldogs’ 20-17 win at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
After Saturday’s game, Kirby Smart said the Ole Miss crowd reaction didn’t compare to what he saw in Austin.
“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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