NCAA denies Masoli's waiver

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

Yahoo! Sports

 

JACKSON, Miss. (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.

 

Mississippi officials announced Tuesday plans to appeal the ruling, with a response expected in less than one week.

 

“I’m just shocked and disappointed,” Masoli said. “I’ve done everything I can to follow the rules.”

 

Mississippi athletic director Pete Boone said the decision was “subjective” and expected a successful appeal.

 

“There is no question in my mind Jeremiah is in the right place,” Mississippi coach Houston Nutt said. “We’re in the people-helping business. I want to plead with that subcommittee. He’s done nothing but what he’s supposed to do.”

 

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 entire 2010 season by Oregon coach Chip Kelly. Then in June, he was cited for misdemeanor marijuana possession and dismissed and kicked off the squad.

 

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

 

In a press 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.”

 

Nutt said the NCAA should take into account that Masoli was only kicked off the football team, not the university.

 

“He was not dismissed from the university,” Nutt said. “He was dismissed from the team. I’ve had players that I dismissed. I want them to go play for somebody else. I want them to learn from their mistakes.”

 

Masoli was expected to compete for the starting spot at Mississippi after leading Oregon to the Rose Bowl last season. He accounted for 51 touchdowns for the Ducks over two seasons.

 

Now the Rebels are down to two scholarship quarterbacks—sophomore Nathan Stanley, who is the likely starter, and junior college transfer Randall Mackey.

 

Stanley played in five games last season, completing 11 of 23 passes for 163 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Masoli’s loss is a big blow for the Rebels, who open the season at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday against Jacksonville State in Oxford.

 

Masoli has not used his redshirt season, so he’ll be allowed to practice while sitting out this fall and be eligible for competition in 2011.

 

Masoli hopes that’s not necessary.

 

“I’m very hopeful the NCAA will do the right thing in my case,” Masoli said. “I still have faith.”

 

[mmmtodd]

"Ive done everything I can to follow the rules."

[HuskerNLimbo]

1)I hope that he has to sit this year out and the appeal doesnt work. You cannot run away from consequences as Masoli is trying to do.

2) How can he be that shocked? You stole a computer from a frat house and then got picked up drunk with drugs. . .

[AR Husker Fan]

Huston Nutt is sooooo screwed. He has never developed a quarterback, and all he has on the roster now are wet-behind-the-ears kids. And they lost a lot off their team other than Sneed.

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

Huston Nutt is sooooo screwed. He has never developed a quarterback, and all he has on the roster now are wet-behind-the-ears kids. And they lost a lot off their team other than Sneed.

Wait till next year. Nutt will have a new OC he hired from some high school and surprisingly, that schools QB will commit to Ole Miss

[huskerscott]

For once Im liking what NCAA has been doing in the last couple of situations(USC,Masoli). Masoli doesnt deserve a chance to play college football again, ever. That kid had everything in front of him and blew it countless times by the choices he made.

[NUance]

In a press 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.”

Good decision. Masoli to Mississippi does seem to fly in the face of the intent of the waiver. Or at least that's what every other SEC coach seems to think.

[AR Husker Fan]

Huston Nutt is sooooo screwed. He has never developed a quarterback, and all he has on the roster now are wet-behind-the-ears kids. And they lost a lot off their team other than Sneed.

Wait till next year. Nutt will have a new OC he hired from some high school and surprisingly, that schools QB will commit to Ole Miss

[NE2CAhusker]

totally the right call...the NCAA has had a tough offseason but I applaud them...here's the deal...there's a sanctity about college sports...thats why people love it....there's no BS. its just guys that LOVE to play the game trying to win every game and putting their heart and soul out there. now while they're doing that...while they're being nationally-televised and becoming role models for kids all around the country, the NCAA is making sure they keep their stuff together and respect the fact that the only reason the players are getting these opportunities is because of the NCAA...good job NCAA for keeping college football classy and legit.

[zoogs]

In a press 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.”

 

Nutt said the NCAA should take into account that Masoli was only kicked off the football team, not the university.

 

“He was not dismissed from the university,” Nutt said. “He was dismissed from the team. I’ve had players that I dismissed. I want them to go play for somebody else. I want them to learn from their mistakes.”

 

Nutt is nuts. Masoli's transfer, and their desire to allow him to play this year, is 100% a "football reason."

[308_Husker]

I just read on the bottom line of ESPN that Masoli and Ole Miss won the appeal and that he would play this season.

 

Here's a link on ESPN's page

 

Link

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

 

How the hell did they manage that one?

[308_Husker]

How the hell did they manage that one?

It ESPECIALLY doesn't make sense that he gets to be reinstated given his track record, but you have 12 kids from UNC that may have gotten help editing term papers that are suspended for the biggest opening game in a decade for UNC.

 

It must have been his convincing press conference..

[Street Novelist]

"Do the right thing." maybe Masoli should have done the right thing and not have stolen property and smoked marijuana

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

Houston Nutt is fast becoming one of the shadiest coaches in a while