PROVO — The BYU fans caught on tape hurling garbage at referees following Saturday's rivalry game against Utah could face charges, police said Tuesday.

Brigham Young University Police Department Lt. Arnold Lemmon said investigators are reviewing the viral video that gives a low angle account of the pelting the refs took at Lavell Edwards Stadium, along with various other angles supplied by campus police cameras inside the stadium.

The ground-level video, which has surpassed 500,000 views on YouTube, shows fans shower the refs with various pieces of debris. Lemmon said some water bottles and other hard objects were thrown.

The game crew was being escorted by six police officers at the time, and officers were apparently struck as well by debris during the ordeal.

"This kind of behavior feeds on itself," Lemmon said. "We just don't want this to continue. We don't want referees who are guests of the university and patrons inadvertently get struck by thrown objects, so we will make a significant effort to identify who they are."

Police said they have a "zero tolerance policy" when it comes to the kind of behavior exhibited after the 20-13 BYU defeat.

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Refs feel the wrath of the rivalry

As the referees left the field of the BYU-Utah game, fans showered them with ice, soda, and popcorn to protest — what they felt — was a poorly officiated game.

The refs came under fire from fans for what various fans described as missed and poor calls during the game, including a play at the end of regulation that appeared to be a potential pass interference penalty committed by a Ute defender against a BYU receiver.

Lemmon said the fans who threw things at the game crew now could face misdemeanor charges, including disorderly conduct and "throwing missiles."

If somebody turns out to have been injured during the ordeal, Lemmon said, then a simple assault charge is possible.

Lemmon said police would be watching the crowd closely during Friday's home game against Middle Tennessee.

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