Rebel Yell! Masoli Can't Play

Sports digest: New Mississippi QB Jeremiah Masoli ineligible for 2010
AP

The NCAA has denied Mississippi quarterback Jeremiah Masoli's request for a waiver that would allow him to play immediately, meaning the former Oregon standout won't be eligible until 2011.

"I'm just shocked and disappointed," Masoli said Tuesday. "I've done everything I can to follow the rules."

Mississippi athletic director Pete Boone said the decision was "subjective" and expects to successfully appeal the ruling.

Masoli transferred to Mississippi after being kicked off Oregon's team after two run-ins with police.

He pleaded guilty in a January theft at a fraternity house and was suspended for the 2010 season by Oregon coach Chip Kelly. In June, he was cited for misdemeanor marijuana possession and was kicked off the squad.

The senior already had completed his undergraduate degree at Oregon and enrolled in Mississippi's parks and recreation graduate program. The NCAA sometimes will waive a one-year residency requirement for athletes who are transferring when enrolling in a graduate program not offered at the previous school.

In a news release, the NCAA said Masoli's request violated the intent of the waiver: "The waiver exists to provide relief to student-athletes who transfer for academic reasons to pursue graduate studies, not to avoid disciplinary measures at the previous university."

Well how's that for a punch in the gut? First Ole Miss loses their best QB to a transfer, then Coach Houston Nutt has to basically whore his program out and bring in this trouble maker and now he can't even play. Try handing the job back to backup Nathan Stanley. I'm sure he won't be the least bit offended that you had so little faith in his in the first place. Now, don't get me wrong. There are certainly worse representatives for college football than a pothead that steals things (Oregon RB LaMichael James who was arrested for domestic assault springs to mind) but this is pretty much poetic justice for win-at-all-costs Coach Houston Nutt and the Ole Miss program who got in bed with him. Tough luck Rebs. Noone said life or the NCAA is fair.