A frustrated Lane Kiffin accused a Texas Tech linebacker of spitting on one of his players at the Texas Bowl on Wednesday, adding that a racial slur may also have been used.
A skirmish ensued between the Rebels and Red Raiders after Ole Miss’s Dayton Wade fumbled early in the fourth quarter and Texas Tech rallied. A shoving match ensued, and eventually Ole Miss receiver Jordan Watkins received a personal foul penalty.
After the game, which Ole Miss lost 42-25, Kiffin said the penalty should have gone to Texas Tech’s Dimitri Moore, who is the No. 11 for the Red Raiders, instead of Watkins, who is the No. 11 for Ole Miss wears.
“They announce our 11, that’s Jordan Watkins who wasn’t in the fight, it was their 11 who fought 71 [Ole Miss lineman Jayden Williams] and everyone knew because their own coaches were yelling at the guy,” Kiffin said.
A frustrated Lane Kiffin accused a Texas Tech linebacker of spitting on one of his players at the Texas Bowl on Wednesday, adding that a racial slur may also have been used
“There was a racial slur in the game, that’s not the point here. [it’s] about the spit part. I brought our own 71 to the officers, right or wrong, do you see him crying? He’s not crying because he was spat on, but because something was said.’
When asked if a Texas Tech player racially abused one of his players, Kiffin said he wasn’t sure.
“I won’t, because I didn’t hear it, [I’m not going to] say that certainly happened, that he racially abused our player,” Kiffin said. “I was told that’s what was said in it [incident] but I didn’t hear that. So that would obviously be a huge problem.
Moore and Williams are both black.
In response, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire and Moore accused Kiffin of making reckless allegations, which they both deny.
“We are disappointed that an opposing head coach has decided to make serious allegations that are false and irresponsible,” McGuire said. “I have discussed these allegations with Dimitri Moore and he has denied both allegations made against him. I’m proud of our team and our performance last night with a memorable win to end our season in front of a sea of Red Raiders.
Moore has repeatedly called Kiffin’s claims “false.”
“I cannot say strongly enough that these allegations are false,” Moore said. “It’s disappointing that my last game as a sophomore athlete was overshadowed by the false allegations made last night.
“Ever since I arrived at Texas Tech I have strived to represent my teammates, this coaching staff and most importantly my family at the highest level. It was an honor for us to represent this program as we ended our season with a great team win last night.”
A skirmish ensued between the Rebels and Red Raiders after Ole Miss’s Dayton Wade fumbled early in the fourth quarter and Texas Tech rallied. A shove match ensued, and finally Ole Miss receiver Jordan Watkins (right) received a personal foul penalty. After the game, Kiffin said the penalty should have gone to Texas Tech’s Dimitri Moore (left), who is number 11 for the Red Raiders, rather than Watkins, who wears number 11 for Ole Miss
Mississippi Rebels’ Jordan Watkins #11 celebrates his reception for a touchdown in front of Texas Tech Red Raiders’ Marquis Waters #9 in the second half at NRG Stadium
Kiffin said he got so upset during the game because he didn’t think it was fair for his player to be awarded a penalty which he believes clearly should have been on someone else’s behalf.
“I will defend our players if a kid spits on them and is accused in front of a national audience that it’s him,” Kiffin said. “So Jordan has to deal with that.”
McGuire was not asked about the incident after the game, but Kiffin said he spoke to him about the alleged spitting.
“If you really watch someone over there laughing because they got out,” Kiffin said. “He’s yelling at the player, they lose track of him… I spoke to their head coach after that, he said, ‘Crazy to act out there.’ I say, ‘Yeah, that was really bad the one your guy spat and our guy got the penalty.” He was like, “Yeah, I know.”
Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire and Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin shake hands Wednesday night at NRG Stadium