COLUMBUS – Eyeing the threat of severe spring weather, Ohio State University athletics officials moved the start time for the Buckeyes’ annual spring football scrimmage at Ohio Stadium Saturday up 10 11:45 a.m., the university announced Friday morning.
The Ohio State University LiFESports Spring Game, presented by Nationwide: 11:45 a.m. (*NEW TIME*) Sat., April 14, Ohio Stadium (BTN/BTN2Go) Gates into the stadium will open at 10 a.m.
Parking lots will open at 6:00 a.m. Parking is free in the lots around the stadium and on campus, with the exception of the west stadium lot.
Michigan and Wisconsin canceled their spring games because there’s a good chance of rain and thunderstorms.
The available tickets for the game were sold out Wednesday but all tickets purchased will be valid for both the men’s lacrosse game against Michigan, which will now be played this Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Ohio Stadium, and for admission into the spring game on Saturday.
The 79,000 tickets sold represent the capacity of the stadium. About 18,000 seats were not available for fans Saturday because of construction in B-Deck and restoration work on parts of C-Deck.
Even with the unavailable seats, OSU expects to lead the nation in spring game attendance for a fourth consecutive season. Ohio Stadium led the nation with 80,134 fans in an under-construction stadium last year, with a national record 100,189 fans in 2016 and with 99,391 in 2015.
The format of the game will be four 10-minute quarters with a running clock in the second half. The Honorary captains for the teams will be Buckeye and NFL stars Ryan Shazier and Malcolm Jenkins.