In a recent incident following the game on Saturday, Texas Tech and Kansas faced fines and reprimands due to a tortilla-tossing controversy. Each team was penalized $25,000 by the Big 12 Conference after the Red Raiders’ 42-17 victory in Lubbock.
Reason for Fines
The Big 12 imposed fines based on specific actions by both teams:
- Texas Tech: Received a fine for “repeated instances” of fans throwing objects onto the field.
- Kansas: Penalized for disparaging comments made by head coach Lance Leipold about the conference and for an inaccurate claim regarding a pocketknife.
Details of the Incident
Fans throwing tortillas onto the field during kickoffs is a tradition that dates back to the 1990s. However, this game led to penalties due to excessive object tossing. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark stated that Texas Tech failed to take adequate measures to prevent this behavior.
Coaches’ Reactions
Coach Leipold admitted to an emotional reaction and acknowledged the need for a better approach in the future. Meanwhile, Kansas athletic director Travis Goff stated that adept handling of these matters should have remained private. The incident over the pocketknife, discovered on Kansas’ sideline, remains under investigation.
Policy on Field Objects
Prior to the season, Big 12 athletic directors voted to enforce stricter game management rules regarding objects thrown onto the field. Teams now receive warnings for initial violations and face 15-yard penalties for subsequent offenses.
Postgame Confrontation
The situation escalated postgame when Leipold and Texas Tech’s Coach Joey McGuire had a heated exchange at midfield. Leipold expressed frustration over the handling of the situation by officials, emphasizing the need for better enforcement of existing policies. McGuire echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the need for improvement.
Fan Behavior Concerns
Despite pleas from McGuire urging fans to refrain from throwing tortillas, the tradition continued, leading to unnecessary penalties during the game. The Red Raiders were penalized twice for this during the match, resulting in significant field position losses.
Both Texas Tech and Kansas will need to address the implications of these actions moving forward, prioritizing the safety and integrity of their teams.
