Mississippi State faces heavy fine for field-storming following ASU upset

Jeff Hauser

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Mississippi State faces heavy fine for field-storming following ASU upset image

Mississippi State picked up an unexpected win on Saturday night with No. 10 Arizona State leaving Starkville with a 24-20 loss. Fans turned Davis Wade Stadium upside down and uprooted the goal posts in celebration.

After Arizona State kicked a field goal to take a 20-17 lead with just over a minute remaining, Blake Shapen responded with a dagger. With 30 seconds left, the Mississippi State QB launched a 58-yard touchdown strike to Brenen Thompson, giving the Bulldogs a stunning 24-20 lead. On the Sun Devils’ final drive, Hunter Washington sealed the victory by an intercepting a Sam Leavitt pass.

As the final seconds ticked off the clock,  the ringing of cowbells gave way to a tidal wave of maroon and white pouring onto the field. Fans stormed the field and quickly went to work.

This was a significant win for Mississippi State, which endured a brutal 2-10 campaign in 2024 under then first-year head coach Jeff Lebby. It maked the Bulldogs’ first non-conference win over a top-15 opponent since 1991.

But the postgame celebration may come with consequences. The SEC’s revised field-rushing policy in May and sets a flat $500,000 fine for every incident, regardless of whether it’s a first offense.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey made his intentions clear saying, “Field rushing is field rushing, the first time or the 18th time.” Mississippi State will likely take the six-figure fine, but it will be worth it. 

MSU moves on after equaling last year's win total and faces Alcorn State this week. 

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Jeff Hauser

Jeff Hauser is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has over twenty years of experience and is a two-time Emmy Award winner, Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award voter. Among the events he has covered are the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, World Series, World Cup, and WBC Boxing. Hauser is a regular guest on FOX Sports and ESPN Radio. He previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, SB Nation and Athlon Sports.