The Oklahoma football team had to reschedule a game with Ole Miss for Sunday, following a massive issue with the airline industry on Friday. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop, meaning that planes couldn't take off virtually anywhere in the United States for several hours.
Oklahoma wasn't happy that Ole Miss wasn't able to play their scheduled SEC conference game on Saturday. The Sooners issued a powerful statement, expressing their displeasure with talks involving league commissioner Greg Sankey.
“After multiple conversations with the league office, Commissioner Sankey informed us of his decision to move our game to Sunday, over our strong objection. After continued discussions, he further informed us that our failure to play on Sunday at the directed time would result in a forfeit,” Oklahoma's athletic director Roger Denny wrote in part in a statement.
Denny is also frustrated by the delay's impact on fans.
“Rescheduling the game has a significant impact, particularly on our fans. Those who have made travel arrangements, accommodations, and personal plans around a Saturday game now face unnecessary disruption and hardship,” Denny added.
The SEC explained there was no way the Ole Miss-Oklahoma game could have been played Saturday, as originally scheduled.
Article Continues Below“The Ole Miss football team was unable to depart Oxford Friday night due to the FAA ground stoppage,” the SEC said in a statement, and reported by On3. “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.”
The FAA ground stoppage resulted in many college football games around the country having to be rescheduled. As a result of the problems, Oklahoma and Ole Miss will play Sunday at 1:00 ET.