Lane Kiffin throws halftime barb at Big Ten officials over targeting calls

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin threw a barb at Big Ten officials over targeting calls at halftime of the Rebels’ game against Louisville.

Kiffin, who wasn’t on the sideline after testing positive for COVID-19, called out the Big Ten officials after four targeting calls in the first half, including two against Ole Miss.

“We just need this Big Ten officiating crew to teach us how to tackle because obviously, we don’t know how,” Lane Kiffin told ESPN’s Molly McGrath when asked about his thoughts on the first half. 

Ole Miss will be without two key linebackers for the rest of its game against Lousiville. Mark Robinson has been ejected from Monday night’s game following a targeting call. The senior led with his helmet when going to tackle Louisville running back Hassan Hall. 

Ole Miss linebacker Lakia Henry was also ejected in the second quarter for a targeting call against Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham.

Robinson and Lakia Henry were listed next to each other as potential starters for Monday’s game, Ole Miss will now turn to junior linebacker Ashanti Cistrunk for the remainder of the game. 

Ole Miss leads Louisville 26-0 at halftime.

Robinson transferred to Ole Miss as a walk-on running back from FCS member Southeast Missouri State prior to the 2020 season. After sitting out last season due to transfer requirements, he is using his final year of eligibility and playing linebacker for the Rebels. 

Henry is in his third season at Ole Miss, and fifth season of college football, after two seasons of junior college. In 2020, Henry had 62 tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles for Ole Miss. 

Lane Kiffin sends Matt Corral message ahead of Ole Miss-Louisville

While Lane Kiffin is not on the sidelines, he still relayed a message to his star quarterback Matt Corral before kickoff. Kiffin tweeted out the love he has for the Ole Miss star.

“Come to the sip. Heart you Matt Corral always,” Kiffin tweeted. “We really are family! I’m on the Matty Ice train. Beat Louisville, Ole Miss football. Remember, you won the game before you played the game. Default to your training!”

The combination of Kiffin and Corral is one of the most interesting coach-quarterback pairing in all of college football, and one of the most fun. Additionally, it’s been one impressively productive as well. In their first season together, Corral threw for 3,337 yards and 29 touchdowns. The duo will look to build on their chemistry in 2021.