Big 12 officials determined to put the wraps on Texas Tech for allowing fans to repeatedly toss tortillas on the field last week fined the Red Raiders $25,000 for the celebration.
The league also fined visiting Kansas $25,000 for coach Lance Leipold’s postgame critique of Texas Tech and the conference for not doing enough to stop the projectiles.
The actions occurred during and after the Red Raiders’ 42-17 win against the Jayhawks last Saturday.
Permitting the tortilla-tossing tradition to continue was voted down by conference athletic directors in the offseason, 15-1.
Game officials penalized Texas Tech twice for personal fouls during kickoffs. With the play live, fans tossed tortillas en masse.
“After a formal review, Texas Tech did not take sufficient steps to prevent and deter the repeated throwing of objects onto the field and team bench areas,” Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said in a statement. “Coach Leipold’s comments questioned the integrity and professionalism of both the Conference and a member institution. Both actions warranted a financial penalty.
“The Big 12 Conference prioritizes integrity and will have no further comment on the matter.”
After the game, Leipold claimed that “a pocket knife was thrown and hit one of our staff members.”
According to ESPN, Texas Tech submitted footage to the league that proved the claim to be inaccurate.