Audio By Carbonatix
Lane Kiffin does not understand why Oregon head coach Dan Lanning is getting so much praise for exploiting a loophole to the rules of college football when fans are so furious about fake injuries. Both advantages present the same basic blueprint at their core but they are not met with the same reactions.
There is a stark contrast in how the two different (but same) strategies are received.
Lanning made the decision to trade a five-yard penalty for time during Saturday’s win over Ohio State. He intentionally placed 12 defenders on the field during the closing moments of the Buckeyes’ final possession. The Ducks were flagged for an illegal substitution, but the 12th player on the field prevented a big play in a crucial spot. More importantly, four precious seconds ran off of the clock.
When asked about the 12 men penalty on Monday, Lanning confirmed that it was indeed intentional. He exploited a loophole to his own benefit and slammed the door shut behind him to ensure that nobody could ever use the same strategy against him in the future. The NCAA wasted zero time changing its rules so this cannot happen again.
College football fans and analysts were impressed by Lanning’s strategy.
Warren Sharp called it “genius.” Urban Meyer referred to it as “chess, not checkers.”
This reaction presents a stark contrast to a similar strategic advantage that Kiffin has tried to eradicate from the sport for years. Ole Miss has been at the center of a nationwide conversation about fake injuries. The Rebels have been called classless. Shane Beamer was up in arms over the amount of questionably-timed cramps, which have been deemed “unsportsmanlike.”
Kiffin does not understand why Lanning is getting praise while he is getting hate. Both coaches used a legal loophole to help them win games. Their job is to win games.
I find that all this national talk about someone faking an injury, and people shouldn’t do that. I’m not saying I don’t agree with. But I just found it interesting that everybody thinks this is awesome that you went against the rules and put more people on the field but then everybody’s (up in arms) when faking an injury. So just found it interesting.
— Lane Kiffin
To go even one step further, Kiffin has repeatedly called for a rule change regarding fake injuries. Unlike its quick action in response to the Lanning loophole, the NCAA actually shut down a proposal that would give officials the authority to penalize a team for a fake injury.
Lane Kiffin wanted the rules to change but the NCAA said no so Ole Miss continues to exploit the rules as they currently stand. Dan Lanning did the exact same thing.
And yet, the Rebels are criticized while the Ducks are praised. Hm.