Home / Sports / FAA Flight Ban Delays Ole Miss vs. Oklahoma Game
FAA Flight Ban Delays Ole Miss vs. Oklahoma Game
15 Nov
Summary
- Ole Miss game postponed due to FAA flight grounding.
- SEC Commissioner made the decision against Oklahoma's objection.
- Oklahoma AD calls the decision unfair to athletes and fans.
The highly anticipated football matchup between No. 19 Mississippi and Oklahoma has been rescheduled from Saturday to Sunday, November 17, 2026, due to disruptions caused by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounding all flights. The Ole Miss team was unable to depart from Oxford on Friday, November 15, 2026, as planned.
After the FAA's flight stoppage was lifted, charter flight arrangements for Ole Miss could not be accommodated for a late Friday departure. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) then decided to postpone the game, which was originally slated for Saturday at 4:15 p.m. Eastern, to Sunday at 1 p.m. Eastern.
Oklahoma's athletic director, Roger Denny, strongly opposed the decision, attributing it to SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. Denny stated that the Sooners were threatened with a forfeit if they did not agree to the game's postponement. He argued that while other teams found ways to travel, Ole Miss could not, leading to unnecessary disruption for fans and a perceived unfairness to Oklahoma's athletes.
Former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops also voiced his disapproval, calling Commissioner Sankey's decision "absolutely wrong." Stoops suggested that Sankey should have compelled Ole Miss to find a travel solution rather than forcing Oklahoma to change the game day.
