OXFORD, Miss., Sept. 3 (UPI) -- The NCAA reversed an earlier decision and will allow former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli to play for Mississippi this season, the association said Friday.

The NCAA originally ruled that Masoli had to sit out a year after moving from Oregon to Ole Miss. Masoli argued that because he'd graduated from Oregon -- he's attending graduate school at Mississippi -- he should be immediately eligible.

NCAA staff, however, concluded that since Masoli had been dismissed from the Oregon team, he wasn't cleared to play.

The NCAA Subcommittee for Legislative Relief, in a release Friday, said since Masoli obtained a waiver from Oregon, the player should be allowed to join the team. Masoli will be eligible to play Saturday when the Rebels open their 2010 season at home against Jacksonville State.

"I want to thank the NCAA committee for its decision," Masoli said on his Web site. "And a huge thank you to (Ole Miss Coach Houston) Nutt and Ole Miss for standing by me. ... Now, let's play some football!"

Masoli was a starting quarterback for two years at Oregon, leading the Ducks to the Rose Bowl last season, but was suspended for the 2010 season and was dismissed from the team after he pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary.