Forfeit threat forced Sunday kickoff: Oklahoma AD blasts decision to move Ole Miss game amid nationwide flight chaos

Flight disruption changes kickoff

Oklahoma and Ole Miss were scheduled to meet at 4:15 p.m. ET Saturday in Norman. A nationwide grounding of flights, caused by technical issues with flight control equipment, disrupted college football travel.

Ole Miss said it could not reach Norman in time for Saturday’s game. The matchup was rescheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, a rare time for a major college football game, which is usually played on a day reserved for NFL games.

Oklahoma objects to ruling

Oklahoma athletic director Roger Denny said the university strongly opposed moving the game. He said Ole Miss had explored travel options, but was unable to find a way to play Saturday.

Denny said SEC Commissioner Sankey ordered the Sunday game and warned that Oklahoma would forfeit if it did not play at the directed time. Oklahoma said it would comply while maintaining that the decision was unfair to its athletes, institution and fans.

Fans face new arrangements

The change affects Oklahoma as host, including supporters who made travel, lodging and personal plans around a Saturday kickoff. The university said it would provide more information about game logistics and fan appreciation measures on Saturday.

The report raised uncertainty about how many fans would be unable to attend Sunday. It also noted that the rescheduled game gives college football viewers a standalone matchup while the NFL is playing.

Travel criticism adds tension

Will Compton, an ESPN personality and host of Bussin’ with the Boys, criticized Ole Miss for not taking an eight-hour bus ride to Norman. The dispute could add tension to a game that has already drawn attention because of the scheduling change. The article said several games had been rescheduled from their original start times because of the Friday FAA Ground Stop, while most major matchups that day were unaffected.