Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt gave students some hard news. During a Thursday conference call, he explained that the school would receive a $100,000 fine from the Big 12 if fans repeatedly throw tortillas onto the field.
According to a video obtained by Front Office Sports, Hocutt said that Big 12 circulated a memo on Monday from commissioner Brett Yormark that said the conference was updating the policy about objects thrown onto the field. A first offense will result in a warning and a second offense will result in a 15-yard penalty in the game and a $100,000 fine.
Hocutt said this wasn't up for discussion and the decision was strictly made by Yormark. This includes the “playing enclosure” and not just the field. Meaning if there is anything thrown behind the sidelines, it will invoke a penalty and the fine.
“The stakes just got a lot higher, a lot quicker on Saturday afternoons,” Hocutt told students. “So you get one chance, opening kickoff, tortillas come out, it’s a warning. That second time … if people keep throwing tortillas … that could cost us 15 yards right there and a $100,000 fine. Guys, that’s a big financial penalty that’s associated as we go forward.”
Texas Tech will be fined $100,000 and given a 15-yard penalty for additional tortillas being thrown on the field after opening kickoff.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) October 17, 2025
Red Raiders AD Kirby Hocutt appeals to fans not to throw tortillas:
"Guys, that's a big financial penalty."pic.twitter.com/gdfFqtqf7V
Hocutt’s message to fans comes after the Big 12 fined Texas Tech and Kansas $25,000 each after a conflict between the team’s head coaches after the Red Raiders 42-17 win over the Jayhawks in Lubbock. Texas Tech was a repeat offender of fans throwing objects onto the field.
In August, Big 12 athletic directors voted 15-to-1 to solidify the conference’s game management policy over the rule. Hocutt took to social media to comment about the change after it happened and encouraged fans to alter the tradition a bit.
Red Raiders, the rules can change.
— Kirby Hocutt (@kirbyhocutt) August 14, 2025
But our tradition will not.
How about the @UnitedWestTexas Opening Kickoff Tortilla Launch? #15To1
Texas Tech plays Saturday at Arizona State. The Red Raiders’ next home game is Oct. 25 against Oklahoma State.
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