The college football matchup between Oklahoma and Ole Miss faces uncertainty following a nationwide flight grounding issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The directive, which impacted all departing aircraft, was initiated due to a communication failure involving Air Route Traffic Control Centers, according to reports from USA TODAY.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the order was necessary to maintain safety, the agency reported.
The Ole Miss Rebels were unable to depart from Oxford before the mandate took effect, leaving the team unable to travel to Norman for their scheduled contest.
Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter confirmed that the team’s travel plans were disrupted by the federal order, as reported by Sam Hutchens.
The game is currently slated to take place at 3:15 p.m. CT on Saturday, but the logistical challenges have cast significant doubt on that timeline, according to multiple reports.
While a bus trip from Oxford to Norman is physically possible, it would require approximately eight hours of travel time, provided the team does not encounter further delays on the road, per mapping data.
The situation remains fluid as the Ole Miss football program waits for updates regarding the status of the nationwide ground stop.
Fans and officials are monitoring the social media updates provided by local reporters for any changes to the kickoff schedule.
With the Rebels still in Mississippi, the ability for the team to arrive in time for the game in Oklahoma remains a primary concern for event organizers.
Neither university has released an official statement regarding a potential postponement or cancellation of the Week 11 matchup at this time.