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Ole Miss football is at the center of a heated scheduling dispute after the Rebels’ game against Oklahoma was moved from Saturday to Sunday following a nationwide Federal Aviation Administration ground stop. The decision triggered a sharp public response from Oklahoma athletic director Roger Denny, who called the situation “inexplicable” and said it unfairly burdened the Sooners.
Explosive Travel Dispute Delays Ole Miss Football Game
The Southeastern Conference moved the matchup to Sunday after travel problems prevented Ole Miss from reaching Norman, Oklahoma, in time for the originally scheduled contest. Kickoff was set for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, or noon Central time.
The controversy began Friday when the FAA issued a nationwide ground stop that disrupted thousands of flights. Ole Miss players and staff had boarded buses in Oxford, Mississippi, to travel to Tupelo Regional Airport when the stoppage was announced at 3:54 p.m. ET, just minutes before their scheduled departure.
The team was released after officials learned the disruption would last several hours. Players later returned to the Manning Center for a team meeting, but the situation remained uncertain even after the ground stop was lifted at approximately 8:30 p.m. ET.
Why Ole Miss Could Not Travel Friday Night
In a statement, Ole Miss said its goal was always to fly to Norman on Friday night and play Saturday. However, the program said its charter broker, Air Planning, was informed that JetBlue could not operate the team’s flight after the ground stop ended.
The school cited several obstacles, including the time needed to rescreen the traveling party and transport everyone back to the airport. Ole Miss also said the flight crew’s duty time would have expired before departure, leaving no viable air option that night.
A bus trip was considered, but the journey from Oxford to Norman covers roughly 559 miles and would have taken more than eight hours. Ole Miss said it was too late to place its student-athletes on buses, while crew restrictions prevented a flight until Saturday afternoon at the earliest.
“We took every reasonable action in our power to avoid this scenario,” Ole Miss said, according to ESPN. The Rebels added that their traveling party was also inconvenienced by the postponement and had to stay in five hotels instead of one.
Oklahoma AD Roger Denny Rips SEC Decision
Denny strongly criticized both the SEC office and Ole Miss. In an interview with SoonerScoop, he questioned whether the Rebels had made every possible effort to reach Oklahoma for a Saturday night game.
Oklahoma reportedly remained open to moving the contest later on Saturday. Denny said a nighttime kickoff would have caused inconveniences but would have been “nowhere near as unfair to our fans” as shifting the game to Sunday.
“It’s inexplicable,” Denny said. “I can’t wrap my mind around the fact that they can’t find a way to get here.”
Denny also objected to the communication process. He said Oklahoma officials heard from state highway and police officials that Ole Miss expected the game to be played Sunday before receiving direct information from the conference office.
The Oklahoma athletic director said SEC commissioner Greg Sankey moved the game over the school’s “strong objection.” He also claimed Oklahoma was told that failing to play Sunday at the directed time would result in a forfeit.
Fan Incentives Offered for Sunday Kickoff
With the unusual Sunday schedule expected to affect attendance, Oklahoma introduced several incentives designed to bring fans to the stadium. The offers include:
- $2 hot dogs, soft drinks, hot chocolate and 16-ounce beers.
- Free hand warmers and ponchos while supplies last.
- Discounted merchandise at The Sooner Shop.
- Free admission for University of Oklahoma students with valid identification.
- Free tickets for upcoming Oklahoma events, including the men’s basketball game against Syracuse.
The scheduling change also created conflicts with other Oklahoma athletic events, including women’s basketball, volleyball and wrestling. Denny said he did not believe the SEC fully considered those consequences when weighing the options.
What the Sunday Schedule Means for Both Teams
Oklahoma was scheduled to host Texas A&M the following Saturday at noon ET, meaning the Sunday game could create a shorter turnaround for the Sooners. Denny said he hoped the conference would reconsider the timing of that upcoming game because of the competitive disadvantage.
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables was described as “furious” about the move. Meanwhile, Ole Miss emphasized that the Rebels also preferred to play Saturday and said they lacked the travel advantages available to other SEC teams.
Oklahoma-Ole Miss was the only FBS game moved to Sunday because of the FAA disruption. Other affected Power 4 games remained on Saturday, although several received revised kickoff times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Ole Miss football game moved to Sunday?
The SEC postponed the game after an FAA nationwide ground stop disrupted Ole Miss’ planned Friday travel to Oklahoma.
When is the Oklahoma vs. Ole Miss game scheduled?
The game is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, or noon Central time.
What did Roger Denny say about the decision?
Oklahoma athletic director Roger Denny called the decision “inexplicable” and said it unfairly burdened the Sooners, their fans and the school’s athletic schedule.
Why did Ole Miss not take a bus to Oklahoma?
Ole Miss said the 559-mile bus journey would have taken more than eight hours and that it was too late to safely move the team by bus after the flight disruption.
