Big Ten to Only Play Conference Games This Fall

The Big Ten has announced that “if the conference is able to participate in fall sports” despite the coronavirus pandemic, “based on medical advice, it will move to conference-only schedules.”  The fall sports at Nebraska include football, volleyball, soccer and cross country. 

The Big Ten said in its news release: “This decision was made following many thoughtful conversations over several months” between conference and school officials and medical experts.  The release concluded: “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 to not play to ensure the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes” depending on the circumstances of the pandemic. 

The decision means NU loses home football games in September against Central Michigan, South Dakota State and Cincinnati. Nebraska’s football team is currently scheduled to play nine conference games, four in Lincoln.  But, the schedule – which had the Huskers opening at home against  Purdue on September 5th and not playing another league foe until October 3rd at Northwestern – will likely change.  

The decision also wipes out a volleyball match between Nebraska and Creighton. 

UNL’s leadership issued a statement saying “the most important thing is the safety of our student-athletes, staff and coaches, and we appreciate the thoughtful approach taken by the Big Ten.”