Deion Sanders Shocked by $50,000 Fine for Colorado Fans’ Field Storming After Iowa State Upset
On October 11, 2025, Colorado Buffaloes fans stormed Folsom Field in Boulder to celebrate a 24-17 upset victory over No. 22 Iowa State, marking only the second win against a ranked opponent in Coach Deion Sanders’ three-year tenure. The electric atmosphere, with fans rushing the midfield logo, was a sight Sanders loved, but it came with a catch: a likely $50,000 fine from the Big 12 Conference for violating field-storming rules.
Why the Fine?
- Big 12’s Crackdown: The conference has been cracking down on field storming to ensure the safety of players and staff, with a $50,000 fine for first offenses. This follows a pattern: Colorado faced a $50,000 fine two weeks earlier for derogatory chants during a loss to BYU, and last season, a $25,000 fine after fans stormed the field post a win over Baylor.
- Sanders’ Reaction: Sanders was unaware of the fine during his postgame press conference and expressed disbelief when informed: “How is it $50,000 for rushing the field? Who made that a rule? Come on, man. That ain’t right.” He jokingly suggested fans “chip in” to cover the cost, noting the 50,000-strong crowd could pitch in a dollar each. Despite the penalty, he stood by the fans’ enthusiasm: “I want to see the kids rush the field. I absolutely love it.”
- Context of the Celebration: The win was a big deal—quarterback Kaidon Salter threw for 255 yards and two touchdowns, and key defensive plays, like an interception by Tawfiq Byard, sealed the deal. For a team at 3-4, snapping a two-game losing streak, the fans’ excitement was understandable, though costly.
Sanders’ Take and Broader Context
Sanders, who had surgery for blood clots in his leg days before the game, called the win “vital” for the team’s morale, emphasizing they’re better than their record suggests. He even visited his campus prayer spot before the game, feeling a spiritual nudge toward victory. While he questioned the logic of fans taking goalposts (“What are you going to do with it? Put it in your frat house?”), he embraced the chaos as part of the game’s passion.
The Big 12’s strict policy contrasts with Sanders’ love for fan energy, highlighting a tension between safety regulations and college football’s raw emotion. For comparison, the SEC slaps a hefty $500,000 fine for similar incidents, making the Big 12’s penalty seem mild. No official fine has been confirmed yet, but the precedent suggests it’s coming.