Two things caused some of the changes you mention in your post:
1. Going to the SEC. SEC rules state that no one is allowed on the field after the game. Failure to follow that rule leads to very large penalties (fines) for the university. The university negotiated a compromise with the SEC to keep the Yell Leader "Capture" tradition alive. That basically is what has led to the Yell Leaders and fish not being allowed past the 20 yard line for "capture." Pretty much eliminates the ability for the Yell Leaders to run very far before being captured by the fish, but still allows the "capture" tradition to take place.
2. Kyle Field renovations. Since Kyle Field was renovated, there is no longer a north "tunnel" to exit the stadium. There is no longer a way for the fish to carry the Yell Leaders out of the stadium through the north tunnel, as a tunnel no longer exists in the north end of the stadium. To compensate for this change to the stadium, the fish capture the Yell Leaders, carry them to the student section of the stadium, then put them down for a post game Yell Practice INSIDE Kyle Field. Then afterward, they walk outside the stadium, where the fish once again pick up the Yell Leaders, and take them to the "fish pond" for Victory Yell Practice.
Hope this clarifies why things appeared different for the Yell Leader "Capture" after the victory last Saturday.
