College Football A major theme this season is players faking injuries during games to give the team extra breathing room without having to call a timeout.
On Friday, the Ole Miss Rebels responded to allegations that players faked injuries before a key game against the LSU Tigers. Ole Miss isn't the only team accused of skipping transfers over the past few years.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Nick Saban walks off the field after the stadium is renamed in his honor at Bryant-Denny Stadium during Alabama's 42-16 victory over South Florida in Tuscaloosa on September 7, 2024. (Gary Cosby Jr. – USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban issued a scathing statement on the matter during “College GameDay” on Saturday morning.
“That's the integrity of the game,” he said. “And there isn't a player who goes down in a match who doesn't get a signal from the coach to do that – to slow down the game. This all has a history because in the old days you had to run off the field if you were injured.
“I mean, I broke my leg and I have to run off the field. Well, the fastball came, so everybody said, 'If you get hurt, don't get up, don't get up. We can't replace fast enough.
LSU PERFORMS MIRACLE WIN AGAINST OLE MISS AFTER EPIC HALF-GAME FALL
Nick Saban speaks to friends and supporters on Aug. 14, 2024, at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Nick's Kids Foundation Annual Luncheon. (IDEA)
“So now people are taking advantage of this principle. However, I think that until there is some penalty imposed for this, and I know that this is a very sensitive topic for the official who has to determine whether a player is injured or not, but it should be the rule that it is a flop. If a player gets up, runs downstairs and falls right before the game starts, maybe it should be a timeout for that team, I mean, sometimes it's pretty obvious in situations where guys are flopping. “
South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer questioned Ole Miss' injuries last week.
“First of all, I hope all these guys are okay.… I have my own problems. We just got our asses kicked 27-3. But I'm fascinated by how many injuries they get after an opponent scores a first down or has a big role,” Beamer said.
“You go back and watch the Wake Forest game; there's a lot going on. You're watching the Kentucky game; there's a lot going on. The timing of some of the injuries – it's a really bad look for college football.”
Ole Miss responded.
“Fock injuries have become a significant topic in college football, and we recognize that our program has been part of that conversation. “We have contacted the national soccer refereeing coordinator and provided him with the appropriate medical information for his review to answer questions regarding recent injuries,” the school said in a statement.
Head coach Shane Beamer reacts after his offensive momentum was slowed by another injury in Mississippi, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Columbia, South Carolina. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“We have also modernized the SEC office, and our head coach will be communicating with our coaches and players to ensure we are doing the right thing and complying with the regulations on this matter.”
Fox News' Ryan Canfield contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage in X and subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
