Ole Miss responds to accusations of 'feigned injuries,' promises compliance as pressure to fix issue mounts

The Rebels have come under considerable scrutiny for alleged fake injuries during the 2024 season

Ole Miss has responded to accusations of feigned injuries by its players during various games throughout the first half of the 2024 season, saying it has been in communication with both the National Coordinator for Football Officiating and SEC office on the matter. 

The topic of feigned injuries -- which temporarily stop the game, potentially at key moments -- has been a hot topic in college football for some time, but it picked up considerable steam over the past couple of weeks. In particular, the Rebels came under fire after quarterback Jaxson Dart was shown in the Kentucky game speaking with running back Matt Jones, who subsequently fell to the ground before the next snap.

"Feigned injuries has become a notable topic in college football, and we realize our program has been part of that discussion," Ole Miss said in a statement. "... Our head coach will communicate with our coaches and players to ensure we conduct ourselves properly and are compliant in this matter."

In Week 6, Ole Miss' game against South Carolina was unofficially stopped 11 times due to injuries, prompting Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer to give a fiery statement after the 27-3 loss.

"I hope they're OK," Beamer said. "It's fascinating to me how many injuries occur for them after the opposing offense makes a first down or has a big play. You go back and watch the Wake Forest game, it happens a lot. You watch the Kentucky game, it happens a lot. ... The timing of some of the injuries, it's a really bad look for college football and it's not what this game is about."

No. 9 Ole Miss will travel to Baton Rouge on Saturday to face No. 14 LSU in a game that will surely affect the College Football Playoff race.