Arizona State University was fined after Saturday’s win over BYU ended in a chaotic ending.
The Big 12 announced Tuesday that it had fined the school $25,000 and issued a public reprimand for a rainstorm that occurred in the final minutes of a 28-23 win. Arizona State fans rushed onto the field thinking the game was over, but by the time they rushed onto the field there was officially one second left.
Rather than score a touchdown with less than a minute left to take a two-point lead, the Sun Devils tried to run out the clock and end the game. On fourth down, QB Sam Leavitt threw the ball wide in an attempt to end the game. But with one second left, the ball fell into the stands.
The clock hit zero immediately after Levitt’s pass, leading fans to believe the game was over. The game was delayed for more than 10 minutes while officials reviewed the play to see if there was time left at the time the pass was dropped.
It was a wild scene as fans crowded around the referee as a replay review took place, with furious Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham looking over the referee’s shoulder.
“In accordance with the Big 12 Conference’s sportsmanship principles and standards, the conference has issued a public reprimand and $25,000 fine to Arizona State University for the field trespass incident that occurred during Saturday’s football game against BYU. “We have been punished,” the statement said. said the council. .
“The safety of our student-athletes and all game participants is our top priority,” Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark said in a statement. “We continue to work with each institution on event management policies at all Big 12 venues.”
After reviewing the replay, BYU had a chance to throw a Hail Mary for the win. However, the pass from Jake Retzlaff to Chase Roberts didn’t reach the end zone.
The Big 12’s fine against Arizona State is a quarter of the fine the SEC imposes on each team when fans first invade the field. Auburn and Oklahoma were each fined $100,000 for fan storming the field in Week 13. Oklahoma was fined twice, as were Arizona State fans, because fans invaded the field too early and the game was postponed before the final play was executed.
With the win, Arizona State enters the final week of the regular season in a four-way tie for first place in the Big 12. However, the Sun Devils have the best chance of making the playoffs among the teams in this tie. If ASU beats Arizona on Saturday, it will be in the Big 12 championship game no matter what.
**Beyond financial penalties, what innovative strategies could universities and conferences implement to both deter field storming and encourage responsible fan celebrations?**
## World Today News Interview: ASU’s Premature Field Storm
**Guests:**
* **Dr. Sarah Jones:** Professor of Sports Sociology at University of Phoenix, specializing in fan behavior and stadium culture.
* **Mark Johnson:** Former NCAA Football Referee with over 20 years of experience officiating college games.
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Earlier this week, Arizona State University was fined $25,000 by the Big 12 Conference for a premature field storming following their win against BYU. This incident raises questions about fan behavior, safety protocols, and the role of referees in managing chaotic situations. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Sarah Jones and Mark Johnson to dissect this event and explore its broader implications.
**Section 1: Fan Behavior and Stadium Culture**
**Host:** Dr. Jones, the article describes a scene where ASU fans flooded the field believing the game was over. How do you interpret this behavior from a sociological perspective?
* **Dr. Jones:** (Explains fan psychology in these situations, potential contributing factors like heightened emotions, tribalism, lack of clear communication, etc.)
**Host:** What role does ASU’s recent performance and playoff hopes play in exacerbating this type of behavior?
* **Dr. Jones:** (Discusses the impact of team success, heightened expectations, and the desire for celebration on fan actions.)
**Section 2: Refereeing Decisions and Game Management**
**Host:** Mark, from your experience as a referee, how do you handle situations where there’s ambiguity about the end of the game and fans are surging onto the field?
* **Mark Johnson:** (Outlines the protocols referees follow, the pressures of making split-second decisions, and the importance of clear communication with both teams and stadium officials.)
**Host:** Some argue that the officials could have been more decisive in stopping the game sooner. How do you respond to that criticism?
* **Mark Johnson:** (Offers insights into the challenges of
controlling a large group of people, the need for evidence before making a call, and the limitations faced by on-field officials.)
**Section 3: Consequences and Future Implications**
**Host:** Dr. Jones, the Big 12’s fine against ASU isn’t as severe as some other conferences. What are your thoughts on the adequacy of these penalties in deterring future incidents?
* **Dr. Jones:** (Discusses the effectiveness of financial penalties, potential for alternative solutions like warnings, community service, etc.)
**Host:** Mark, how can conferences and teams work together to prevent similar situations in the future?
* **Mark Johnson:** (Emphasizes the importance of proactive measures like clear announcements, enhanced security protocols, educating fans on proper game conduct, etc.)
**Conclusion:**
This incident reminds us of the complexities surrounding fan engagement, refereeing decisions, and the responsibility of all stakeholders to prioritize safety and sportsmanship.
Thank you to Dr. Jones and Mark Johnson for sharing their insights on this intriguing story.
We encourage our viewers to continue the conversation and share their thoughts on how we can promote a more enjoyable and responsible fan experience.
