ACC fines Florida State $50K for storming the field after upsetting No. 8 Alabama

Florida State is getting a slap on the wrist, barely, after its massive upset win over No. 8 Alabama on Saturday.

The ACC fined Florida State $50,000 on Monday after its fans stormed the field at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee on Saturday. The celebration came in the wake of the Seminoles’ 31-17 upset win over the Crimson Tide.

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While it’s meant as a deterrent for fans, the ACC’s fine is merely a fraction of what the SEC hands out. Had the roles been reversed and it was Alabama fans who rushed the field in Tuscaloosa, the SEC would have dished out a $500,000 fine. The ACC instead starts at $50,000, and then will increase to $100,000 upon a second offense in the same season. If there is a third, it will double to $200,000.

Still, it’s hard to imagine that anyone in the Florida State athletic department is too upset by the fine. The Seminoles, after a brutal season last year where they went just 2-10 and only beat a single FBS-level opponent, entered Saturday’s contest as a 14-point underdog. They undoubtedly looked like the better team against Alabama, and even broke open a 24-7 lead after their opening drive after halftime.

Quarterback Tommy Castellanos went 9-of-14 for 152 yards, and was also their leading rusher with 78 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. The Seminoles had 230 total rushing yards as a group, and all four of their touchdowns came on the ground.

The loss will only increase pressure on Kalen DeBoer in Tuscaloosa, too. DeBoer went just 9-4 last season, his first after replacing Nick Saban, and has now led Alabama to its first Week 1 loss since 2001. The Crimson Tide will return home to take on Louisiana Monroe on Saturday night, while Florida State will host East Texas A&M.

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