Vanderbilt received an expected penalty following Saturday’s historic victory over Alabama.
In a runaway pick for upset of the year, the Commodores shocked the top-ranked Crimson Tide. Following the 40-35 win, fans stormed the FirstBank Stadium field and ripped out the goalpost. They carried it miles through downtown Nashville and chucked it into the Cumberland River.
On Sunday, the SEC announced a penalty for fans entering the field. The conference fined Vanderbilt $100,000 for its first infraction of the policy revised before the 2023 season.
The SEC also fined Arkansas $250,000 for fans storming the field after Saturday’s 19-14 upset over Tennessee. The Razorbacks received a harsher penalty for the program’s second violation.
A third and any ensuing offense would draw a $500,000 fine.
Vanderbilt will probably gladly pay the fine following Saturday’s momentous victory.
The Commodores had just two SEC wins in the previous four years (none in 2023) before shocking the Crimson Tide. They’ve already surpassed last season’s win total with a 3-2 start.
Vanderbilt had never defeated a No. 1 opponent in school history, and the school hadn’t beaten Alabama since 1984.
“This is the dream, right here,” Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea said, per ESPN. “And for the next 12 hours, I’m going to enjoy the dream. We’ve got more ahead of us, but this is what Vanderbilt football needs to be about: big wins on big stages. We’re going to go get some more.”
According to David S Ewing, the Nashville Fire Department recovered the goalpost from the Cumberland River. They will give it back to Vanderbilt, which could auction off pieces of the goalpost to pay the SEC fines.
Related: Scenes At Vanderbilt’s Stadium After Alabama Upset Are Wild