After Oklahoma’s thrilling 24-3 victory over Alabama on Saturday, Sooner fans took the excitement to the next level, rushing the field in celebration. More than 10,000 fans flooded Owen Field to commemorate the historic win, marking a momentous occasion for OU football. However, the celebration came with a steep price tag.
On Sunday, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) announced that Oklahoma would be fined $200,000 for violating the league’s “access to competition area” policy—twice. The fine was issued because fans stormed the field before the game had officially ended. The SEC also fined Auburn $100,000 for a similar violation after their game against Texas A&M, with the amount reflecting the first offense under the league’s revised policy.
It had been 24 years since Oklahoma fans last rushed the field, following a win over No. 1 Nebraska in 2000. On Saturday, OU fans initially breached the policy with 28 seconds remaining in the game, rushing onto the field prematurely. After the final snap, they poured back onto the field, triggering an additional $100,000 fine for the second violation.
Linebacker Danny Stutsman joked about the situation, saying, “Yeah, they got a little trigger happy, but it is what it is. We’ve just got to wait a little bit but I love it.” Cornerback Woodi Washington echoed the excitement, calling it “amazing” and reflecting on his experience of being on the opposite side of a field storm.
For Stutsman, the moment was unforgettable. “That was electric,” he said. “That’s something I’m going to remember for the rest of my life. I’m forever grateful for that.” Head coach Brent Venables jokingly added, “Don’t take it out of my pocket” in reference to the fine.
The SEC’s policy prohibits spectators from entering the competition area before, during, or after a game for safety reasons. Violations of the policy result in financial penalties for the offending institution, which range from $100,000 for a first offense to $500,000 for repeated violations.
This is the third such incident this season involving Alabama, which has now been fined for fan field incursions after losses to Tennessee and Vanderbilt. Alabama leads the SEC with 10 field-rushing fines.
The SEC’s field-storming policy, adopted in 2004, has seen its penalties increase over the years, with adjustments made in 2015 and again in 2023. Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne has even called for stricter penalties, suggesting that teams whose fans storm the field should forfeit the game.
Despite the hefty fine, the aftermath of the win left a lasting impression on the Sooners. Defensive coordinator Zac Alley described the postgame atmosphere in the locker room as “rocking,” humorously noting that a few uninvited “frat guys” had snuck in, escaping security in the excitement of the moment. “Our guys were fired up, excited. Couldn’t have been more enjoyable,” he said.
While the fine might sting, the memories of the historic celebration on Owen Field will undoubtedly last much longer for both the players and the fans.
