COLUMBUS – The day before classes resumed at Ohio State, head football coach Ryan Day says most of the players on his team have gotten their COVID-19 vaccinations.
Those that have not are being tested twice weekly, as required by the university.
The Big Ten is the latest Power Five conference to announce that a team must forfeit if it doesn’t have enough players available for a league game because of COVID-19.
In collaboration and communication with the Big Ten Conference Athletic Directors, Chancellors and Presidents, the Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases, and the Sports Medicine Committee – effective today – the conference has determined that if one of its member institutions is unable to play a conference contest due to COVID-19, that contest shall be declared a forfeit and will not be rescheduled. That contest shall be considered a loss for the team impacted by COVID-19 and a win for its opponent in the conference standings. If both of the two competing teams are unable to participate in a scheduled Conference competition due to COVID-19 and as a result the competition is unable to occur on the calendar day on which it is scheduled, the competition shall be considered a “no contest.” -statement from Big Ten Conference
The conference said the team that forfeits will be assessed a loss in the conference standings and its opponent will be credited with a win.
If both teams are unable to compete on the date of as scheduled conference game because of COVID-19, and the game can’t be rescheduled, it will be considered a no contest.
The Power Five conferences appear headed toward having similar forfeit policies.
Football tickets on sale
Single game tickets for 2021 Ohio State home football home games will go on sale this week for alumni, Varsity O letter winners, faculty, staff and the general public.
Tickets will go on sale for Varsity O Tuesday, at 9:00 a.m. and for OSU Alumni Association Sustaining and Life Members at 12.
All OSU alumni, faculty and staff can purchase tickets Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. and tickets will go on sale for the general public Wednesday at noon.