Lane Kiffin calls out Ole Miss fans for leaving games early: 'I don't understand it'
Lane Kiffin on Sunday expressed disappointment toward Ole Miss fans leaving the team’s games early.
“When you come back into the tunnel in the second half, or you’re going into an end zone and look up and see the difference … I don’t really understand it,” Kiffin said, according to The Rebel Walk.
Kiffin noted that he’d understand it more if the team was struggling — noting that not only are the Rebels in the top 10, but that the offense, especially quarterback Jaxson Dart, has been playing at a high level.
“I think it’s pretty entertaining to watch a team play well,” he said. “After (Dart) threw in the first half for 350 yards and 5 TDs, the first in the SEC since Joe Burrow to do that, and then you have the most accurate streak in the history of the SEC and the stadium is half empty and (you’re) the No. 6 team in America, I don’t understand it. It’s frustrating. But I can’t control it.”
We’ll see if Rebels fans take Kiffin up on his challenge to remain past the halftime break. The Rebels’ next home game isn’t until Sept. 21 as they welcome Georgia Southern to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
That’s after a trip to Winston Salem to face Wake Forest, just the 3rd all-time meeting between the 2 teams.
They are trying to avoid all those traffic jams in Oxford, Mississippi.
It’s the student section in the north endzone. They expanded the student section and now they leave during a blowout and all you see is the entire north endzone empty. It’s pretty pathetic and they need to revoke student tickets.
Some schools penalize students for no shows by blocking tickets for next season. I suppose they could try to do the same for leaving early. Do a check-in/check-out thing.
Have the coaching staff make the dinner rounds at the fraternity and sorority houses and call them out for their lack of commitment to the team and ask them to do better. I bet you see an immediate change in 4th quarter student attendance.
Lol.
Everybody leaves the games early to go drinking in the grove.
(Don’t they drink in The Grove before the game, too?)
I remember Saban getting on to the Bama fans for the same thing.
Those guys, kids some of them, have busted their butts all Fall practice. They have really busted their butts year-round for this if you’re going to be honest about it. They also are placing their health, futures, and sometimes their lives on the line to entertain us fans. Ole Miss should especially understand this with the legacy of Chucky Mullins.
Blow outs are boring, winning or losing. I get staying for the team, but it’s still boring entertainment…
Set up an overflow tent or space in the parking lot. People in the overflow tent can be used to fill in the empty seats at halftime. I think a lot of people would camp out the first half, for a shot to get a free ticket for the second half.
Student section is in direct sun. This time of year, they bake in the north endzone (after baking in the Grove). When the game isn’t competitive, they leave to rehydrate.
Having spent 4 years in the UF student section (East stands always in direct sunlight) I can relate to how they feel. Maybe if they took off their coats and ties in the second half they’d feel more comfortable. In the 70’s, we always wore our shorts, flip flops, and t-shirts. The only tough time was getting the 30 gal Igloo cooler up to the 30-40th row.
I’ve been told that OleMiss has Kiffen locked in money wise.
If Florida comes calling, Kiffin will be gone. Florida fans see football as more than an excuse for drinking. He was probably right to pass on Auburn, but Kiffin as a Gator will be nightmare for the rest of the conference.
That happens with cupcake games. It’s like watching a scrimmage.
This is just a theory but if Lame’s team ever faces a big boy team maybe his fans will find it interesting enough to watch the entire game. CBS Sports only ranks the top 134 teams – Ole Miss has played #121 MTSU and a team outside of the top 134 in Furman. This week they move all the way up to #87 Wake Forest. Could be a nail biter.
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED??? (Gladiator)
lots of fans leave early in a blowout against a cupcake. At bhalftime, well thats a little early. I personally have stayed in some of those cupcake blowout games but dont get out to many and like watching the backups get in… but I also left early in some. Parking and traffic is one big reason for me personally. its no big deal unless they leave in a blowout vs a really good team, then it would be troubling but I bet thats not the problem.
Lane,
GATOR fan here. Come to UF we will watch every minute of you coaching!
Maybe play quality teams instead of easy to win games and people will say. I was there for the entire game only because it was a the most beautiful football weather I’ve seen for years in Oxford. Until Kiffin wins more than the games he is supposed to win he might want to keep his mouth shut. I’ve gone to way too many games where he did not compete at all.
Lane needs to have a Coke and a smile
No, Lane’s not a control freak.
“I don’t understand it.” Surely he is kidding.
1. Game is over by halftime.
2. Over half of your fans are interested in entertainment and beer at once. Beer prices are ridiculous in stadiums. Beer sales expire at the end of the 3rd quarter. There is plenty of (cheaper) beer outside the stadium. And you can drink it with a wild crowd, while watching the game on a bar TV or your own stream. This compnent of consumer demand is not difficult to “understand.”
3. It would not be a blow out if the first game had a better chance of making it competitive. Furman and Middle Tennessee State are not going to hold an SEC fan base in the stadium into the second half and definitely not into the 4th quarter.
“I don’t understand it.” What’s not to understand?
Don’t forget Saban did the same thing at Bama. Calling out the student section. Kiffin needs to tell the students that the whiskey just as good in the stands or maybe better than at the frat house. problem solved.
Well hard to say…….if they are blowing out their opponent, people will lose interest quickly.