Early Friday it was learned Ohio State would be without Head Coach Ryan Day for its scheduled Big Ten game with Illinois on Saturday. Hours later, the Buckeyes announced the contest with the Fighting Illini had been canceled due to positive COVID-19 tests.
Ohio State is 4-0 and ranked fourth in the first College Football Playoff rankings.
Ohio State-Illinois is now canceled tomorrow. More positives came back today.
This could become a real big problem. If Ohio State can’t play next week either it won’t be eligible for Big Ten title game.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 28, 2020
The athletic department has paused all team-related football activities. The decision to cancel the game and pause all activities was made by athletic director Gene Smith, OSU president Kristina M. Johnson and head team physician Dr. Jim Borchers in consultation with the Big Ten conference.
“We have continued to experience an increase in positive tests over the course of this week,” Smith said. “The health, safety and well-being of our student-athlete is our main concern, and our decisions on their welfare will continue to be guided by our medical staff.”
Team activities will resume when its medical staff determines it is safe to do so based on protocols established by the Big Ten Conference, Ohio State said.
