Students began lining up even before Malik Orsan lined up for his 48-yard field goal. When Orsan’s kick went through the uprights, sealing the Gamecocks’ 27-24 victory over No. 11 Tennessee, a mass of humanity erupted over the hedges.
But jubilation comes at a price.
A $500,000 fine from the SEC will soon be levied against South Carolina for violating the league’s competition area access policy. The Gamecocks will have to pay that half-million dollar check directly to Tennessee.
Ironically, Tennessee was just fined $500,000 a week ago when the Vols beat Alabama at Neyland Stadium and fans stormed the field.
The SEC previously operated with an escalating fine structure — $100,000 for the first offense, $250,000 for the second and $500,000 for each subsequent assault on a field or field — but removed that before the 2025 football season.
Now, schools are fined $500,000 every time a field or field storming occurs at one of their sites and are required to pay that money to the visiting school that had to move onto the field or grounds.
This story was originally published October 24, 2026 at 7:35 p.m..
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