By james art 
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina was fined $250,000 by the Southeastern Conference for fans who stormed the field after the Gamecocks’ 44-20 victory over then-No. 10 Texas A&M at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday night.
The school was fined by the league for its second violation under its policy, which was last amended in 2023. The Gamecocks were fined $100,000 in January when the men’s basketball team beat No. 6 Kentucky 79-62.
The final fine, according to SEC rules, will go to Texas A&M.
The SEC policy says institutions must limit access to competition areas to participating athletes, along with coaches, officials and authorized support personnel “for the safety of both participants and spectators.”
A subsequent violation would cost South Carolina $500,000.
As the clock expired, fans climbed out of the stands and through a hedge between the student section and the field to celebrate with the team.
The win was South Carolina’s first over a top-10 opponent since beating Tennessee and Clemson in back-to-back weeks to end the 2022 regular season.
South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer gives an interview to ESPN as fans flood the field after an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Columbia, South Carolina Credit: AP/Artie Walker Jr.