Vanderbilt and Arkansas were fined Monday for fans storming onto fields after upset wins last weekend, but the Gophers will not be docked for supporters flooding Huntington Bank Stadium after a dramatic last-minute 24-17 victory over No. 11 Southern California on Saturday. A Big Ten Conference spokesman told the Pioneer Press that Minnesota will not be subject to a fine, but shared a statement about the need for safety for people at games: “The safety and security of student-athletes, coaches and staff is of upmost importance. The Big Ten requires host institutions to provide adequate security for visiting teams from their arrival for a game through their departure.” If adequate security is not provided, the Big Ten shared its process: First offense: private reprimand. Second offense: public reprimand. Third offense: the discretion to implement a fine plus additional penalties. “We routinely review our policy as needed to ensure a safe environment for everyone,” the conference added. It appears the Gophers’ field storming is being treated as a first offense under this newer policy. Fans previously gathered on the Gophers’ field after its last Top 20 home win over No. 18 Wisconsin in the Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe in 2021. “Those moments and memories of the field storming and our students being on the field will never get old,” Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck said Saturday. “They become addicting. … I’m sorry, boss (athletics director Mark Coyle). It’s not his fault. Those are awesome and that is what college football is all about. I’m sure we will have to pay a fine or do something like that. But that’s worth it.” The Associated Press reported Monday the Southeastern Conference has fined Arkansas $250,000 after its 19-14 win over then-No. 4 Tennessee because it is a second offense. Future offenses will cost the school $500,000. It was Arkansas’ first home win over a top-five opponent since beating No. 3 Tennessee in 1999. Vanderbilt, a first-time offender, was fined $100,000 by the SEC after its 40-35 win over then-No. 1 Alabama, per the AP. It was the school’s first-ever win over a No. 1 team. Fans tore down a goalpost and dumped it in the Cumberland River, which is 2 1/2 miles from the stadium. Both instances violated the league’s access to competition area policy, which states that “institutions shall limit access to competition areas to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel and properly credentialed or authorized individuals at all times.” Those SEC fines are paid to the opposing school. In February, ESPN reported that 11 conferences have penalties for home schools when fans storm onto basketball courts, including fines in certain circumstances. The outlet said some conferences have general language regarding discipline and applicability. That ESPN story was published after Iowa women’s basketball player Caitlin Clark collided with a woman during a court storm at Ohio State in January. Related Articles College Sports | Matthew Wilkinson never qualified for the state track meet. Now the former Gophers distance runner is an Olympian.