Tennessee loses it

[Los Gatos]

Per a post on Vol Nation, the SEC has fined UTn $250,000 for Sat nights action. So much for sending a strong message that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated. What a joke!

OK, per a post on Vol Nation from an attorney, I have to back off on the above post. The maximum fine the SEC could have levied in this situation was $250,000.

[Jload]

My cousin was there. His 6 year old boy was drenched with beer thrown from the uppper deck. The child was hurt and scared as were thousands of others. He said the atmosphere was madness and violence and he also said that anyone claiming the reign of debris came from just one section is a flat out liar. He confided that despite being a life long UTt fan he will never attend another game there as he felt his family was at risk.I wonder how many people could tell this story.A very sad chapter in college football and as the powers,that be did basically nothing about it this will embolden others to emulate this behavior, at some point in the future. Mark my words someday soon somebody is going to get injured or killed at a game because the conference and UT didn’t have the guts to take forceful action I personally think the UT coach should have led his team off the feild and forfeited the game right there but them again who knows what kind of response this would have had in the crazed supercharged atmosphere at the stadium. The UT chancellor could have banned fans from the next home game, the conference could have said UT plays. No night games for,a,year, lots of things could have been done rather than the pathetic fines and “ strongly worded statements” that were the end result.

[Matt Dillon]

OK, per a post on Vol Nation from an attorney, I have to back off on the above post. The maximum fine the SEC could have levied in this situation was $250,000.

I believe they have identified and arrested some people as well.

[Spiritof96]

My cousin was there. His 6 year old boy was drenched with beer thrown from the uppper deck. The child was hurt and scared as were thousands of others. He said the atmosphere was madness and violence and he also said that anyone claiming the reign of debris came from just one section is a flat out liar. He confided that despite being a life long UTt fan he will never attend another game there as he felt his family was at risk.I wonder how many people could tell this story.A very sad chapter in college football and as the powers,that be did basically nothing about it this will embolden others to emulate this behavior, at some point in the future. Mark my words someday soon somebody is going to get injured or killed at a game because the conference and UT didn’t have the guts to take forceful action I personally think the UT coach should have led his team off the feild and forfeited the game right there but them again who knows what kind of response this would have had in the crazed supercharged atmosphere at the stadium. The UT chancellor could have banned fans from the next home game, the conference could have said UT plays. No night games for,a,year, lots of things could have been done rather than the pathetic fines and “ strongly worded statements” that were the end result.

I don't know about all that... Injured or killed?

It was an embarrassment for the SEC for sure, but our storming the field is more dangerous for sure in that it is far more likely that someone falls or get trampled in that situation.

I sometimes miss the days in Commonwealth when we scored a touchdown and EVERYONE threw whatever was in their hand at the time in celebration. (maybe that was just a student section thing)

The thing BBN need keep in mind is, "There but for the grace of God go I". I have posted a lot of guff about UT fans and I stand by it, but if there is a late game, game-altering call that looks like we are getting hosed against UT, UF, or UL, I could see some of our fans doing the same thing. Especially if they have already taken a scoop and score TD off the board earlier in the game.

I have been at Rupp when the coaches have had to get on the mike to tell fans to stop throwing crap on the court after a terrible call.

[SBCatMan]

^ Spiritof96, a lot of truth in what you write.

[40bill]

I have no love for Tennessee....but if the call to throw Bennie Snell out of a game had been made in Kroger instead of the MCB....I dunno.

Like was said, I've seen coaches have to get on the crowd at Rupp...and that's a quarter of as many folk.

[Lighthouse]

For the record, FB Officials can flag the crowd. I contacted an official who was not involved in this game. His theory is this. The Referee probably talked to the coaches and replay, including Birmingham. The collective decision was made to not flag or forfeit. Which IMO was a good decision.

[Catsrock]

For the record, FB Officials can flag the crowd. I contacted an official who was not involved in this game. His theory is this. The Referee probably talked to the coaches and replay, including Birmingham. The collective decision was made to not flag or forfeit. Which IMO was a good decision.

Not saying you’re wrong Lighthouse. But why would officials have to ability to flag the crowd if that scene did not warrant a flag. I mean how bad or dangerous should it get before a flag is thrown?

[DA#23]

The collective decision was made to not flag or forfeit. Which IMO was a good decision.

Do you think that general security or fear of escalation played a role in that?

How do you feel about the punishment they received?

[Lighthouse]

Do you think that general security or fear of escalation played a role in that?

How do you feel about the punishment they received?

With the replay call made, it definitely played a role. My contact actually stated that the director of officials probably made the final decision after communicating with the commissioner. Remember, this is an educated guess.

Seems like the fine levied was the max they could do. Watch for a rule change.

[DA#23]

Thank you.

[largebluej]

With the replay call made, it definitely played a role. My contact actually stated that the director of officials probably made the final decision after communicating with the commissioner. Remember, this is an educated guess.

Seems like the fine levied was the max they could do. Watch for a rule change.

FWIW, the call was correct. I think what drove the orange stain fans further crazy than usual was that as he went down his right arm was fully extended beyond the first down line. Problem was the ball was in his right arm against his waist. The original spot was maybe a skosh short, but he didn't get the first down.

[Matt Dillon]

The fact that it was Ole Miss (Kiffin) probably had something to do with it as well. I imagine the Vol fans wanted to take him down pretty badly.

[Los Gatos]

With the replay call made, it definitely played a role. My contact actually stated that the director of officials probably made the final decision after communicating with the commissioner. Remember, this is an educated guess.

Seems like the fine levied was the max they could do. Watch for a rule change.

It is also my understanding that the fine was the max that could be levied. However, I believe that the commissioned could have taken other steps such as suspending alcohol sales for the rest of the season. Although I doubt that would have don't much good (people would just sneak stuff it or get smashed in the parking lot.) it would have sent a message that this was more of a problem. Likewise just announcing that would be making a rule change to punish future such actions, would have sent such a message.

[40bill]

The rule change my come later when the league meets.
one of those things that has to have at least majority approval I would think.