Tennessee recoups the same half-million dollars it sent to Alabama a week earlier, while video of a Vols linebacker’s swing during the chaos draws scrutiny.
South Carolina will pay Tennessee $500,000 after Gamecocks supporters stormed the field at Williams-Brice Stadium following their 27-24 upset victory on Saturday. The penalty marks the third SEC fine for a field-storming incident during the 2026 season and the first issued to South Carolina under the conference’s flat-rate fine system.
The SEC announced the punishment on Sunday, citing a violation of its policy governing access to the competition area. The incident occurred after South Carolina kicker Malik Orsan converted a 48-yard field goal as time expired, securing the victory over then-No. 11 Tennessee. The Volunteers will receive the $500,000 payment, matching the amount Tennessee was required to pay Alabama just one week earlier following a similar field-storming incident.
Why did the SEC fine South Carolina?
SEC regulations impose a $500,000 fine whenever fans enter the competition area, following a policy change in 2025 that eliminated the previous system of increasing penalties for repeat offenses. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey defended the revised approach, emphasizing that field storming carries the same consequences regardless of whether it happens for the first or 18th time.
Before the change, South Carolina faced smaller fines for similar incidents. The Gamecocks were penalized $100,000 after fans rushed the field following a 63-38 victory over then-No. 5 Tennessee in 2022. In 2024, the school received a $250,000 fine after defeating then-No. 10 Texas A&M 44-20.
Schools can avoid the penalty by securing advance approval for a safety plan that keeps spectators in the stands until the visiting team and game officials have left the field. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey also has the authority to lower the fine to $100,000 if the home team demonstrates that it made every reasonable effort to prevent the field invasion, only a small number of fans entered the field and contact with the visiting team was limited.
However, footage from Saturday’s game could make it difficult for South Carolina to qualify for the reduced penalty, as Tennessee players were forced to navigate through thousands of fans to reach the tunnel.
Tennessee linebacker caught in field storm
Video footage from the field appeared to capture Tennessee senior linebacker Jeremiah Telander throwing a right-handed punch at South Carolina freshman defensive back Triston Lewis, with both players still wearing their helmets. Security personnel escorted Telander off the field shortly afterward.
As Tennessee players made their way toward the locker room, some South Carolina fans reportedly shouted profanities and waved their hands in the players’ faces. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel has now made two trips to Williams-Brice Stadium, and neither occasion ended with a handshake between him and South Carolina coach Shane Beamer, as the crowd prevented the coaches from reaching each other.
Heupel is expected to speak with reporters next on Oct. 28, during Tennessee’s bye week.
How do the 2026 SEC fines add up?
Kentucky received the first SEC football fine of the season after fans stormed the field at Kroger Field following a 35-34 overtime victory over then-No. 10 LSU on Oct. 10. Tennessee was penalized a week later when supporters flooded the Neyland Stadium field after the Volunteers defeated then-No. 6 Alabama 26-10. Tennessee will now recover that $500,000 fine through the payment from South Carolina.
The SEC’s standard penalty is 10 times the amount imposed by the Big 12 for a typical field-storming violation. The Big 12 is also facing a potential disciplinary decision after Cincinnati fans rushed the field following Saturday’s 37-24 victory over No. 8 Texas Tech.
South Carolina secured its victory over Tennessee after defensive end Dylan Stewart forced a fumble from quarterback George MacIntyre with 33 seconds remaining. The win marked the Gamecocks’ second consecutive victory over a ranked opponent, following their triumph over then-No. 16 Florida. Head coach Shane Beamer praised the atmosphere at Williams-Brice Stadium, crediting the home crowd for helping the team finish strong.
“Our fans deserved it,” Beamer said. “They were awesome tonight, we needed them to be.”
South Carolina (4-3, 2-3 SEC) will travel to Oklahoma on Oct. 31, while Tennessee (6-2, 3-2 SEC) has a bye week.
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