Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Oct 24, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Central Florida Knights wide receiver Tyren Hornes (2) is hit by Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Isaiah Glasker (16) during the third quarter at Acrisure Bounce House.
Following UCF‘s historic upset of second-ranked BYU last Saturday, the Big 12 fined the university $100,000 for fans’ derogatory chants aimed at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Video shared on social media showed UCF fans chanting “F— the Mormons!” before kickoff Saturday. The fans were then removed from the game by university security.
According to a press release from the Big 12, the conference’s conduct policy at athletic events will now include an automatic minimum $100,000 fine and a warning after a first confirmed incident.
A second incident at the same game will result in an in-game penalty, such as a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty in football or a two-shot technical foul in basketball. The league could also levy a $500,000 fine against offending schools.
There’s just one problem. They can’t actually do that.
News: The Big 12 has fined UCF $100,000 for anti-LDS chants during the BYU game.
The conference has also updated its policy on discriminatory conduct, including:
“A second confirmed incident during the same game will result in an in-game competitive penalty.” https://t.co/oy0Y3VQSif
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) October 28, 2026
Terry McAulay Says Big 12 Is Trying To Enforce Made-Up Rule For BYU
While the Big 12 is well within its rights to hand out fines to its member universities for fan behavior, that’s all it can do. What it cannot do, however, is create a rule that will punish teams in games for fan behavior that does not actually interfere with play.
McAulay was quick to call out the conference on its misstep.
Fan conduct such as this is not subject to the rules and penalizing a team 15-yards is not authorized under NCAA Football rules.
The Big XII cannot make up their own in-game rules. https://t.co/hQFsKI7t52
— Terry McAulay (@tjmcaulay) October 28, 2026
We’re all for the Big 12 trying to root out discrimination. The conference is correct to do so. But it needs to do so within the bounds of NCAA rules.