There’s nothing quite like the chaos that ensues after a major college football victory. The game ends, the band plays on, and then it happens—a horde of fans storms the field like they’ve just been released from football prison. Their eyes lock onto one thing: the goalposts. Those innocent, upright symbols of structure and order. But today, they’re destined for destruction. Here are the five best times fans tore down goal posts in college football, proving once again that college football fans are the most unpredictable breed in sports.

1. Tennessee vs. Florida, 1998: Knoxville Gets a New Set of Goal Posts

You can’t talk about goal post carnage without mentioning Tennessee fans. After beating the Florida Gators 20-17 in overtime, the Volunteers faithful decided that the goal posts had no reason to stand any longer. They stormed the field like a mob of orange-clad berserkers, ripping down the goal posts faster than the Florida offense could ever dream of moving the ball. The posts were carried out of Neyland Stadium and paraded through the streets of Knoxville, eventually finding their watery grave in the Tennessee River. Tennessee got new goal posts, and Knoxville got a story that still gets told over a beer at Calhoun’s.

2. Texas A&M vs. Texas, 1995: The Bonfire Game’s Flaming Finale

The rivalry between Texas A&M and Texas has always been heated, but in 1995, the Aggies took things to a new level. After defeating the Longhorns 22-20, fans rushed the field and made short work of the goal posts. The Aggie faithful, perhaps inspired by the bonfire tradition, decided to take the goal posts on a journey through campus, eventually tossing them into—where else—their own Aggie Bonfire. Because what better way to celebrate a win than by setting something on fire?

3. Kansas State vs. Nebraska, 1998: Manhattan Meltdown

Manhattan, Kansas, isn’t exactly known as a hotbed of college football madness, but when Kansas State upset Nebraska 40-30 in 1998, all bets were off. The Wildcats hadn’t beaten Nebraska in 30 years, so naturally, the fans were ready to party like it was 1968. The field was a sea of purple as the crowd descended upon the goal posts like a pack of wildcats (pun intended). The goal posts were uprooted, carried through town, and eventually cut up into small pieces to be handed out like twisted, metallic souvenirs. Kansas State fans finally had a piece of history they could keep—literally.

4. West Virginia vs. Virginia Tech, 2003: Mountaineers’ Wild Night

West Virginia fans are known for their passion and their pyromania, so it’s no surprise they make the list. In 2003, after upsetting Virginia Tech 28-7 in Morgantown, the Mountaineer faithful stormed the field with a singular mission—bring down the goal posts. They swarmed like locusts, yanking the posts down in a frenzy of celebration. But the party didn’t end there. The goal posts were hauled to the downtown area, where they were proudly displayed before being dumped in the Monongahela River. Because nothing says “We won!” like throwing a giant piece of metal into a body of water.

5. LSU vs. Alabama, 2000: Baton Rouge Breakdown

In 2000, LSU fans had plenty of reason to celebrate after their Tigers took down Alabama 30-28 in a thrilling finish. As soon as the final whistle blew, the Tiger faithful stormed the field with the kind of intensity usually reserved for Mardi Gras. The goal posts didn’t stand a chance. Fans ripped them down and carried them right out of Tiger Stadium, like they were taking home a souvenir from a gift shop. The goal posts eventually ended up in various pieces across campus, as fans tried to stake their claim on a piece of LSU history.

Conclusion: When the Posts Go Down, The Legend Grows

Tearing down goal posts isn’t just about celebrating a big win—it’s about the pure, unfiltered joy of being part of something unforgettable. These moments live on in college football lore, with the dismantled goal posts serving as trophies for the fans who were there to witness history. Sure, it’s destructive and probably violates several stadium policies, but hey, it’s college football. And sometimes, the best memories are made when the rules are broken.

So here’s to the fans who took down the posts and left us all with stories to tell. Because nothing says “we won” quite like dragging a goal post through the streets and chucking it in a river.