Ole Miss kicker Caden Costa explains sudden end to freshman year

Ole Miss freshman kicker Caden Costa was unavailable in the team’s Egg Bowl win over Mississippi State, leading many to wonder about his future status. In a statement released via social media, Costa informed fans that his NCAA eligibility has been revoked through the end of the season due to an endurance substance.

He released the following statement, along with a brief message to Ole Miss fans.

“I am heartbroken to announce that I am ineligible to play the rest of my freshman season due to NCAA protocol involving an endurance substance most likely found in a contaminated supplement. It is important to know that I would never do anything to intentionally give myself a competitive advantage and pride myself on integrity and dedication with my work ethic. I will be appealing this case and will be back even better in 2022. Thank you Rebel Nation for the love and support through this difficult time.”

Costa added another message, saying, “the only thing that overcomes hard luck is hard work,” and “the only option is to come back even better.”

In his first season, Caden Costa won the starting job at Ole Miss. He went 14-of-17 on field goal attempts, including 9-of-9 on field goals shorter than 40 yards. The Louisiana native set a career-long with a 50-yard field goal and had 88 points this year. He also made 46-of-48 extra points.

Ole Miss reaches 10 wins

Ole Miss beat their in-state rival on Thursday night in one of the nation’s most hostile rivalries. But that was not all. They achieved something much bigger in their 31-21 toppling of Mississippi State.

Ole Miss will head into the postseason 10-2, marking the first time they have ever won 10 regular season games. The Rebels have reached 10 wins seven times in school history, but the 10th win has always come in a bowl.

Following the game, Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral spoke about what the feat means to the program.

“It feels good,” Corral said to ESPN’s Katie George following the game. “A rivalry win, and that’s a big one, but to do something this big — To do something that this school has never done before, 10-2, ten regular season wins, it’s unbelievable.”

Corral had another impressive performance, throwing for 234 yards and posting two total touchdowns, but he gave credit for the season to the entire program.

“It’s everyone in this locker room that bought in,” Corral added. “It’s Coach [Lane] Kiffin, the coaching staff, Jeff Lebby, everyone coming together, the collective. This is all the way from January and it’s finally on display. I couldn’t be more proud of this group.”