COLUMBUS, OH — After an unorthodox NCAA football season, the Ohio State Buckeyes are back with hopes of a more normal upcoming season. Although some health restrictions have begun to lift, the COVID-19 pandemic is not over. In a surprise change of pace, the OSU Reactivation Task Force announced some new “safe and healthy” precautions to be imposed on this year’s Spring Football Game.
The leading announcement was that the Spring Football Game would be broken up by 3 “athletic breaks” in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The office of President Kristina M Johnson announced that this means that unlike a normal football game, the Spring Game would be played in 4 equally long segments. The 1st and 3rd “athletic breaks” would be used to let the stadium air clear out, and for the playing surface to be disinfected by UV rays. The 2nd break will be longer, to allow the entire audience to walk to and from the COVID testing site at Jesse Owens North. This is in stark contrast to the format of the 2020 Spring Game.
Other unorthodox precautions have been announced, such as the requirement of all football players to wear face masks while on the field of play. Additionally, attempting to remove another player’s mask will result in a 15-yard penalty. Earlier this week, OSU Football Coach Ryan Day confirmed that both teams will consist entirely of Ohio State players in an attempt to reduce the potential for spread. “In addition to this,” notes Day, “the offense and defense will have to maintain a social distance of at least 1 foot until the start of a play.” It has also been reported that the OSU Athletic Band will perform their show during the 2nd “athletic break” in an effort to reduce the number of students on the field at one time.
Written by Idris Malik, Social Media Officer