The Big 12 Conference fined UCF $100,000 on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, after UCF fans chanted a profane slur against "the Mormons" before the Knights' upset of BYU in Orlando on Oct. 24. It is the largest fine the conference has issued over chants aimed at BYU and its faith, and it came with something new: a written, conference-wide rule that can now cost the home team yards on the field.
Video from inside the Acrisure Bounce House, shared widely on social media, showed fans chanting "F--- the Mormons" before kickoff. UCF went on to win 39-31 in double overtime, handing No. 2 BYU its first loss of the season.
| Fine | $100,000, to UCF, to fund student education programs |
| The game | UCF 39, BYU 31 (2 OT), Sat., Oct. 24, Orlando |
| What happened | A profane anti-Latter-day Saint chant before kickoff |
| New rule | $100,000 minimum fine; 15-yard penalty and up to $500,000 for a second incident at the same game |
What the Big 12 said
"While the Conference recognizes the pregame protocols followed by UCF and immediate actions taken during the game, including removal of some individuals responsible for the conduct, discriminatory behavior has no place in the Big 12," the conference said. "The Conference has issued UCF a $100,000 fine, which will be directed toward student education initiatives."
The conference credited UCF for what it did on game day. The public address announcer repeatedly warned fans that disrespectful or profane chants would not be tolerated, and security removed some of the people involved.
UCF didn't sound thrilled. "After becoming aware of the conference's decision, we will be reviewing our options," athletics spokesman Adam Widman said, ESPN reported.
The new rule, in plain English
The Big 12 said the policy takes effect immediately and applies at every athletic event, not just football.
- First confirmed incident at a game: an automatic fine of at least $100,000 and a formal warning to the school.
- A second confirmed incident at the same game: an in-game penalty against the home team, such as a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in football or a two-shot technical foul in basketball, and a possible fine of up to $500,000.
- Fans removed for discriminatory conduct are barred from all of that school's athletic events for the rest of the academic year, and they're still subject to the school's own student or fan conduct rules.
The yardage is the part people will remember. Fines come out of an athletic department's budget. A 15-yard penalty can come out of a team's chances, and that gives a home crowd a reason to police itself.
This keeps happening to BYU
UCF is not the first school to hear its fans chant at BYU's faith, and it isn't the first to pay for it. Here's the recent record:
| When | Where | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | USC | Apologized after chants at a BYU game |
| Sept. 2022 | Oregon | Students chanted against "the Mormons"; the school apologized and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox criticized the chant |
| 2024-25 season | Arizona (basketball) | Chant during a game that ended with a handshake-line scuffle; no fine |
| Sept. 2025 | Colorado | Big 12 public reprimand and $50,000 fine |
| Nov. 2025 | Cincinnati | Athletic director apologized to BYU and the church; no fine |
| Feb. 2026 | Oklahoma State (basketball) | $50,000 fine |
| Sept. 2026 | Colorado State | School apologized; not a Big 12 member |
| Oct. 2026 | UCF | $100,000 fine and the new policy |
After the Colorado State game in September, BYU coach Kalani Sitake didn't want one crowd to define a whole school. "You can't judge the entire fan base on a few, so that's what we're going to focus on," he said.
In fairness to UCF's students, the same could be said here. The chant came from a section of a crowd, the school tried to stop it, and security pulled people out. But the pattern is the point. BYU is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and when its fans travel, too many road crowds treat that as fair game. The Salt Lake Tribune's Gordon Monson tried to explain it in 2022: some people look at the church's claims and "don't see that as an invitation; they see it as an indictment." That explains it. It doesn't excuse it, and now in the Big 12 it costs $100,000.
What it means for BYU's next two games
Sat., Oct. 31: Arizona State at BYU, 1:30 p.m. Mountain time on FOX, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. The new rule applies to every Big 12 venue, including BYU's own. Our BYU vs. Arizona State game-day guide covers Halloween timing and parking.
Sat., Nov. 7: BYU at No. 6 Utah, 10 a.m. at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, ABC or ESPN. It will be BYU's first road game under the new rule, and the rivalry is plenty heated without anyone's religion in it. Our BYU vs. Utah 2026 game guide has the kickoff-time controversy, rankings, and how to get there from Provo.
Related on Provo.com
- UCF 39, BYU 31 in double overtime: how it happened
- Opinion: Pat McAfee loved Provo and "hated" Utah
- The Holy War, explained
- BYU football 2026 season guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was UCF fined $100,000?
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What is the Big 12's new policy on discriminatory chants?
Did UCF do anything during the game?
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Have other schools been fined for chants at BYU games?
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Sources
The facts in this guide were checked against these sources. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm anything time-sensitive with the source before you go. How we make Provo.com.
- Big 12 fines UCF for fans chant aimed at BYU, Mormon church, ESPN. Checked October 28, 2026.
- Big 12 Conference addresses offensive chants from UCF fans directed at BYU, OutKick / Fox News. Checked October 28, 2026.
- Big 12 fines UCF $100,000 for anti-LDS chants directed at BYU, The Salt Lake Tribune. Checked October 28, 2026.
- Another team made discriminatory chants at BYU. Now, Big 12 is threatening more than fines, Yahoo Sports. Checked October 28, 2026.
- University of Central Florida fined $100,000 by Big 12 over discriminatory chants, Yahoo Sports. Checked October 28, 2026.
- BYU faces continued pattern of derogatory religious chants from opposing fans, KMTR NBC 16. Checked October 28, 2026.
- Big 12 fines Colorado, issues public reprimand for chants toward BYU, CBS Sports. Checked October 28, 2026.
- Big 12 fines Oklahoma State $50,000 for anti-Mormon chants directed at BYU, Fox News. Checked October 28, 2026.
- Oregon apologizes after student section chants during win over BYU, CBS Sports. Checked October 28, 2026.
- Gordon Monson: Why do fans at BYU road games chant obscenities?, The Salt Lake Tribune. Checked October 28, 2026.