"We can be better": Steve Sarkisian levies statement after "Longhorn Nation" hurled trash on the field

Steve Sarkisian expressed his discontent with fan behavior in the game against Georgia on Saturday. Texas suffered the first loss of the season against the Bulldogs on Saturday but the reactions of the fans to an on-field call was the focal point of discussion.

The Longhorns fans reacted to a controversial defensive pass interference call in the third quarter after Jahdae Barron’s interception by throwing debris down the field. This delayed the game for a couple of minutes and Steve Sarkisian believes there's no place for that.

“I understand the frustration,” Sarkisian said after the game, per On3. “We were all frustrated in the moment. But all of us, Longhorn Nation, we can be better than that.”

Sarkisian walked over to the student section during the incident and urged them to stop throwing objects onto the field.

The SEC fines Steve Sarkisian’s Texas for its fan behavior

The SEC on Sunday announced a disciplinary decision for Texas following the disruption of the game against Georgia on Saturday. The conference fined the Longhorns a sum of $250,000 for the incident, showcasing an instant response to the unsportsmanlike conduct.

"The throwing of debris and resulting interruption of play that took place Saturday night cannot be part of any SEC event," SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement.

“The SEC is assigned responsibility by its membership to enforce its sportsmanship and game management policies and these actions are consistent with that oversight responsibility, including the financial penalty and mandated reviews.”

The university has also been tasked with identifying individuals involved in the incident where fans hurled objects onto the field. Those identified will face a ban from attending all Longhorn sporting events for the rest of the academic year, as part of the SEC's disciplinary action.

Texas issues apology for the unsportsmanlike conduct of its fans

The management of Texas agreed with Sarkisian regarding the conduct of the fans on Saturday night. The university issued an apology to Georgia, game officials and the SEC on Sunday, expressing discontent at the behavior of the fans.

“While we deeply appreciate the passion and loyalty of our fan base at the University of Texas at Austin, we do not condone the unsportsmanlike conduct that was exhibited by some individuals throwing objects onto the field during last night’s game and sincerely apologize to the University of Georgia players, coaches, and fans, as well as the Southeastern Conference and officiating crew,” the statement read.

Texas will look to bounce back from the loss to Georgia when it makes a trip to Nashville to face Vanderbilt next weekend. Steve Sarkisian’s team fell from the top of the AP Poll on Sunday to No. 5. Nonetheless, they remain a contender for the conference and national title.