The Big 12 Conference fined the University of Central Florida $100,000 on October 28, 2026, following offensive fan chants directed at BYU during an upset win. Officials also instituted an immediate conference-wide conduct policy carrying escalating penalties, including in-game yardage and technical fouls for repeat incidents.
The Big 12 Fine and Acrisure Bounce House Chants
The University of Central Florida captured a program-defining victory this past weekend in Orlando, defeating then-No. 2 BYU 39-31 in double overtime at the Acrisure Bounce House. But the historic upset was overshadowed by actions in the stands. Video footage from inside the stadium captured fans chanting f— the Mormons, a reference to BYU’s affiliation with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In response to the conduct, the Big 12 Conference issued a $100,000 fine against the university on October 28, 2026. The financial penalty will be directed toward student education initiatives.
While the Conference recognizes the pregame protocols followed by UCF and immediate actions taken during the game, including removal of some individuals responsible for the conduct, discriminatory behavior has no place in the Big 12.
Photo: EssentiallySports
The Big 12 Conference
Stadium security removed several individuals during the game after warnings were broadcast on the scoreboard and announced over the public address system. Following the announcement of the conference’s decision, university officials stated that they will be reviewing our options.
The matchup itself featured high drama on the gridiron as UCF secured its first-ever win over an AP top-five opponent. Backup quarterback Jenkin completed 25 of 41 passes for 293 yards and three touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. Jenkin made his fifth start of the season after Alonza Barnett II was sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Reflecting on the backup’s performance after the win, UCF coach Scott Frost noted that their backup is not a backup and had an unbelievable game.
Late in the fourth quarter, UCF was perfectly set up for a field goal opportunity following an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against the Cougars. However, kicker Will Stone’s 47-yard field goal attempt was blocked, sending the contest into overtime and setting the stage for the program-changing win.
Escalating Penalties Under the New Big 12 Conduct Policy
Concurrently with the UCF disciplinary action, the conference rolled out an updated conduct policy establishing stricter, escalating consequences for discriminatory behavior at athletic events across all member institutions. The new framework introduces in-game competitive penalties designed to deter crowd abuse immediately.
Photo: Yahoo Sports
First Incident: Results in an automatic minimum $100,000 fine and a formal warning, giving the institution an opportunity to address the behavior.
Second Incident: Triggers an in-game competitive penalty, such as a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in football or an unsportsmanlike two-shot technical foul in basketball, along with a possible additional fine of $500,000.
Ejections: Individuals ejected for discriminatory conduct are barred from attending all athletic events for the remainder of the academic year and remain subject to applicable university fan and student conduct policies.
The policy takes effect immediately. It follows a pattern of similar derogatory crowd behavior targeting BYU during road games across multiple athletic conferences over recent seasons.
Prior Incidents and Precedents Across Conference Schedules
Targeted chants against BYU have drawn disciplinary actions and public apologies at several opposing venues in recent years. During the 2025 campaign, the Big 12 announced a public reprimand and a $50,000 fine for Colorado following similar derogatory remarks during a matchup against the Cougars. Oklahoma State was also fined $50,000 in February 2026 after inappropriate chants during a men’s basketball matchup against the Cougars.
UCF fined $100K after ‘discriminatory chants’ at football game
Similar incidents occurred last season when anti-LDS jeers were heard during a November matchup at Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium, prompting an athletic department apology from Cincinnati athletic director John Cunningham a day after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent 27,000 pounds of food to a campus pantry.
Despite the crowd misconduct in Orlando, UCF avoided a separate $50,000 fine for fans rushing the field after the double-overtime win. Conference officials reviewed safety preparations and determined that the athletic staff maintained adequate coordination to allow the visiting team a safe, secure exit from the field.
Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.
