Despite objections by Oklahoma athletic director Roger Denny, the Sooners’ home game against No. 19 Ole Miss was moved from Saturday to Sunday after the Federal Aviation Administration’s nationwide ground stop Friday disrupted travel for multiple college football teams, the SEC announced.
The game, originally scheduled for Saturday at 4:15 p.m. ET in Norman, will now be played Sunday at 1 p.m.
“The Ole Miss football team was unable to depart Oxford Friday night due to the FAA ground stoppage,” the SEC said in a statement accompanying the announcement. “After the stoppage was lifted, a late-night departure could not be accommodated by the charter company with which Ole Miss was contracted and the team’s departure has been delayed until Saturday afternoon.”
Transportation officials cited “extraordinary circumstances” caused by communications issues at regional air traffic control centers for the stoppage, which lasted more than four hours before the FAA announced Friday evening that airplane departures could resume.
Several teams were able to depart to their intended locations late Friday via plane or bus, while some scheduled plans to do so Saturday morning. As a result, several games across different conferences were given different kickoff times to accommodate the late arrivals. By late Friday, only Ole Miss’ game against Oklahoma was moved to Sunday.
Shortly after the SEC’s announcement, Denny released a statement just after 1 a.m. ET criticizing the conference’s decision.
“After multiple conversations with the league office, Commissioner [Greg] Sankey informed us of his decision to move our game to Sunday, over our strong objection. ... He further informed us that our failure to play on Sunday at the directed time would result in a forfeit,” Denny said. “I understand that difficult decisions sometimes must be made under extraordinary circumstances. But those decisions must also consider the impact on everyone involved. Put simply, this decision isn’t fair to our athletes, our institution, or to Sooner Nation.”
Former Sooners coach Bob Stoops also criticized Sankey and the SEC for its decision to move the game to Sunday.
“This decision by Greg Sankey is absolutely wrong,” Stoops posted to X on Saturday. “All of the Power 4 teams found a way to make it to their games, but Ole Miss wouldn’t. ... Greg Sankey instead of telling OU they would forfeit if they didn’t change the day, he could have told Ole Miss they will forfeit if they didn’t find a way to Norman even if the game is delayed. But instead he didn’t!!”
Denny said Oklahoma had been in constant contact with Ole Miss officials from the moment it encountered travel issues but said it was ultimately told the Rebels could not find a way to get to Norman on time for a Saturday kickoff despite exploring several options.
“Rescheduling the game has a significant impact, particularly on our fans,” Denny said. “Those who have made travel arrangements, accommodations, and personal plans around a Saturday game now face unnecessary disruption and hardship. Their time, commitment, and investment deserve greater consideration than they were afforded in the conference’s decision tonight.”
Despite his objections, Denny said the Sooners have been given “no other choice” but to play the game Sunday.
“We are obligated to play the game when directed,” Denny said. “But we remain steadfast in our belief that the wrong outcome was reached this evening.”