The Big 12 fined UCF $100,000 for anti-religious chants from fans during Saturday’s BYU football game.

BYU is founded and guided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).

Warnings were issued throughout the game on the scoreboard at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium and from the public address announcer and security was dispatched throughout the stadium to remove individuals participating in those chants.

While issuing the fine, the Big 12 acknowledged that the school had pregame protocols in place and took immediate action during the game, including removing individuals responsible for the chants: “discriminatory behavior has no place in the Big 12.”

The fine will go toward student education initiatives.

UCF released a statement to the Sentinel saying, “After becoming aware of the conference’s decision, we will be reviewing our options.”

UCF went on to beat then-No. 2 BYU, 39-31, in double overtime, sending fans streaming onto the field in celebration. The conference did not fine the school for the field storming, citing proper protocol to allow the opposing team a safe, secure exit from the field.

The Big 12 also announced it was implementing an updated conference-wide policy for discriminatory conduct at athletic events.

Part of that policy includes: a minimum $100,000 fine for a confirmed first incident during a game; a formal warning will be issued, providing the institution an opportunity to address the behavior; a second confirmed incident during a game will result in an in-game penalty such as a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty (football) or two-shot technical foul (basketball) and may result in an additional $500,000 fine; and individuals ejected for discriminatory conduct will be prohibited from attending athletics events for the remainder of the academic year.

This isn’t the first time unruly fans have targeted BYU with chants, with reported incidents at Colorado State (Sept. 19) and Cincinnati, Oklahoma State and Colorado last season.

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram at @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.