UCF’s biggest win of the season now has a six-figure controversy attached to it.
The Big 12 fined the university $100,000 on October 28 after reviewing discriminatory chants directed at BYU during the Knights’ October 24 home game. The conference said the money will support student education initiatives.
The punishment follows UCF’s 39–31 double-overtime victory over then-No. 2 BYU, a breakthrough performance that handed the Cougars their first loss of the season. But alongside the celebration, videos circulated showing fans participating in an anti-Mormon chant targeting members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The conference acknowledged that UCF followed pregame protocols and took action during the game, including removing some individuals involved. Those efforts did not prevent a financial penalty.
“Discriminatory behavior has no place in the Big 12,” the conference said.
UCF Athletics told ABC News it would review its options following the decision. That response did not confirm whether the university would appeal.
The consequences now extend beyond UCF. Alongside the fine, the Big 12 introduced an updated policy, effective immediately, that can make discriminatory fan behavior a problem on the scoreboard as well as the balance sheet.
A first confirmed incident during a game carries a minimum $100,000 fine, followed by a formal warning. A second incident in the same game triggers a competitive penalty, such as 15 yards in football or a two-shot technical foul in basketball, and could bring an additional $500,000 fine.
Anyone ejected for discriminatory conduct will also be barred from athletic events for the rest of the academic year and remain subject to university conduct rules.
UCF is not the first school punished over chants aimed at BYU. Colorado received a $50,000 fine following a football game in 2025, while Oklahoma State was fined the same amount after a basketball game in February.
For the Knights, a signature victory now shares the spotlight with what happened in the stands. Across the conference, the new policy makes the stakes clear: fans who cross that line could cost their school money and their team yards.
