Big Ten to go conference-only for the 2020 football season
UPDATE 5:00 p.m.
The Big Ten released a statement regarding conference-only fall schedule.
"We are facing uncertain and unprecedented times, and the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, game officials, and others associated with our sports programs and campuses remain our number one priority.
"To that end, the Big Ten Conference announced today that if the Conference is able to participate in fall sports (men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, football, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball) based on medical advice, it will move to Conference-only schedules in those sports. Details for these sports will be released at a later date, while decisions on sports not listed above will continue to be evaluated. By limiting competition to other Big Ten institutions, the Conference will have the greatest flexibility to adjust its own operations throughout the season and make quick decisions in real-time based on the most current evolving medical advice and the fluid nature of the pandemic.
"This decision was made following many thoughtful conversations over several months between the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors, Directors of Athletics, Conference Office staff, and medical experts including the Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee.
"In addition, the Conference announced that summer athletic activities will continue to be voluntary in all sports currently permitted to engage in such activities. Furthermore, Big Ten student-athletes who choose not to participate in intercollegiate athletics at any time during the summer and/or the 2020-21 academic year due to concerns about COVID-19 will continue to have their scholarship honored by their institution and will remain in good standing with their team.
"While Big Ten member institutions continue to rely on the most up-to-date medical information to establish the best protocols for voluntary workouts on their campuses, in compliance with local and state regulations, the Conference is working with the Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee to finalize Conference-wide protocols.
"As we continue to focus on how to play this season in a safe and responsible way, based on the best advice of medical experts, we are also prepared not to play in order to ensure the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes should the circumstances so dictate."
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As first reported by Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic, the Big Ten is expected to announce its football schedule plans for this fall which entails conference games only.
The Rutgers Football program originally was slated to play Monmouth (September 5), Syracuse (September 12) and Temple (September 19). However, none of those games will happen as previously scheduled and it is unknown how they will impact future schedules at this time.
In the meantime, the Scarlet Knights currently have nine Big Ten games already scheduled for the 2020 season.
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As of right now the schedule is as follows:
September 26th at Ohio State
October 3rd vs. Illinois
October 10th at Purdue
October 17th vs. Indiana
October 24th vs Nebraska
October 31st at Maryland
November 14th vs Michigan
November 21st at Michigan State
November 28th vs. Penn State
It will be interesting to see if this schedule stands or if the conference decides to create a completely different conference schedule instead. Also, it still has to be decided as to whom the 10th Big Ten team that will face Rutgers this season.
Stay tuned for more on Rutgers Football and get the latest Scarlet Knights Athletics news right here on The Knight Report!
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