Oklahoma AD Calls SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey’s Sunday Order: Play or Forfeit

FAA stoppage disrupts travel

The Federal Aviation Administration grounded flights nationwide for several hours Friday, forcing college football teams to adjust kickoff schedules. Ole Miss players and staff deplaned and returned to the football facility while awaiting further instructions.

The team could not leave Oxford Friday night. Ole Miss said the charter company could not accommodate a late departure after the stoppage ended, delaying the team’s travel until Saturday afternoon.

SEC moves game to Sunday

Oklahoma athletic director Denny said he spoke with the league office several times before Commissioner Greg Sankey informed the school that the game would be moved to Sunday, despite Oklahoma’s strong objection. Denny said Sankey later told the school that not playing at the directed time Sunday would result in a forfeit. Oklahoma said it had no other choice and was obligated to play when directed.

Oklahoma voices its objection

Denny said Oklahoma believed the decision was wrong and expressed frustration that the school and its fans had little consideration in the outcome. He said the school remained firm in its view that the wrong decision had been reached.

Stoops also criticized Sankey’s decision. He argued that other Power 4 teams made it to their games, citing ASU’s trip across the country to UCF, and said Ole Miss did not do the same.

Game set for Norman

Despite its objections, Oklahoma was expected to play Sunday afternoon in Norman. The account says the school had been directed to play then and faced a forfeit if it did not.