SEC fines school $500,000 for fan behavior

SportsKentucky running back CJ Baxter (1) reacts after a touchdown against LSU during the first half of an NCCA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)AP Photo/Tanner PearsonThe SEC announced Sunday that the University of Kentucky will be fined after rushed the field Saturday following the Wildcats’ 35-34 overtime win over No. 10 LSU.Fans rushing the field is a violation of the league’s access to competition area policy.Quarterback Kenneth Minchey ran untouched for a 2-point conversion after C.J. Baxter scored on a 1-yard run to lift Kentucky to an overtime win. Kentucky will incur a fine of $500,000 for the violation under the league’s access to competition area policy. Per the release: Financial penalties are imposed for violations in all sports sponsored by the Conference.Any violation of the access to competition area policy results in a fine of $500,000.For Conference contests, fines are paid to the opposing institution.For non-conference contests, fines are paid to the SEC’s Post-graduate Scholarship Fund.The policy states that “institutions shall limit access to competition areas to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel and properly credentialed or authorized individuals at all times. For the safety of participants and spectators alike, at no time before, during or after a contest may spectators enter the competition area.”The SEC’s access to competition area policy was originally adopted by a vote of Conference members in 2004 and financial penalties were increased by actions taken by the membership in 2015, 2023 and 2025.LSU (4-2, 1-2 SEC) scored first in overtime when quarterback Sam Leavitt scored on a 15-yard run.Kentucky (5-1, 3-1) forced overtime when Adam Zouagui kicked a 33-yard field goal with 12 seconds left in regulation after missing field goals of 42 and 26 yards with less than five minutes to play, the second after Leavitt was sacked and fumbled.Minchey was 23 of 36 for 246 yards passing, 206 of those in the second half. Baxter ran for 123 yards — 77 on Kentucky’s first play of the game — and two touchdowns.Freshman receiver Kenneth Darby, who had originally committed to LSU, had four catches for 79 yards. His 22-yard catch in overtime put the Wildcats at the LSU 1 to set up the winning sequence.Kentucky was down three linebackers, two defensive backs and a defensive lineman.Leavitt was 25-of-34 passing for 275 yards and two touchdowns, but also had an interception and the fumble. LSU wide receiver Jackson Harris threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Roman Mothershed with 9:42 remaining to give the Tigers a 27-24 lead.The Associated Press contributed to this report.Mark Heim is a senior writer who provides sports, news and trending content. He co-hosts a daily sports radio show on WNSP-FM 105.5 in Mobile. Heim has been recognized with awards for his writing, headlines and...