Miami football didn’t show up to play on Saturday, Nov. 1, and it may cost the Hurricanes a chance at a College Football Playoff bid.
The ninth-ranked Hurricanes fell to SMU 26-20 in overtime on the road, dropping them to 6-2 on the season and 2-2 in ACC play. It also prompted fans to rush the field, with the win serving as the Mustangs’ first against a top-10 team at home since 1974, according to ESPN.
SMU fans rushed the field seconds after T.J. Harden’s game-winning touchdown run, which is expected to cost the school $50,000 due to the ACC’s field-storming rules. The game-winning score was set up by an interception from quarterback Carson Beck on Miami’s first overtime possession.
And no, the fine won’t be going directly to Miami like in other conferences, as the ACC’s updated rules is a bit different than other leagues.
Here’s what to know of SMU’s field storming in its upset win over Miami, including what it means for the Hurricanes.
Does SMU owe Miami after storming field?
Miami won’t receive any consolation prize for falling to SMU on the road, even after Mustangs fans stormed the field.
ACC rules state that teams in violation of the conference’s field-storming policy must pay $50,000 to the league, with the money going straight to the ACC’s Weaver-James-Corrigan-Swofford Postgraduate Scholarship account.
First-time offenders owe $50,000 with the fine rising to $100,000 and $200,000 and the second and third occurrences, respectively.
ACC field storming rules
First-time offenders of the field-storming rules owe $50,000 to the conference, with the fine rising to $100,000 and $200,000 and the second and third occurrences, respectively.
The ACC policy states:
“The elevated expectations for event security plans in men’s and women’s basketball and football will require that only student-athletes, coaches, officials, and authorized personnel are allowed in the competition area before, during, and at the conclusion of any competition. Further, visiting team personnel and officials must have the opportunity to safely exit the competition area before spectators may access the competition area following a contest. These plans must be reviewed by an independent third party by the start of the 2026-27 academic year.”
The rules were updated in July, ahead of the 2025 season.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Does SMU owe Miami football after storming field? ACC policy, explained
Reporting by Austin Curtright, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
