The annual rivalry sport between Michigan and Ohio State has been canceled resulting from a rise in COVID-19 instances over the previous week throughout the Wolverines’ program, the college introduced.
The choice was made after conversations with medical specialists, well being division officers and college administration.
“The variety of optimistic assessments has continued to pattern in an upward path during the last seven days,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel stated. “We’ve not been cleared to take part in follow presently. Sadly, we won’t be able to area a crew resulting from COVID-19 positives and the related quarantining required of shut contact people.
“This determination is disappointing for our crew and coaches, however their well being and security is paramount, and it’ll at all times come first in our decision-making.”
The Wolverines had canceled its sport in opposition to Maryland on Dec. 5 and paused all crew actions. This system was cleared for restricted exercises on Monday and took part in these exercises, however the administration determined to cancel the sport because of the enhance in instances and the variety of student-athletes in quarantine over the previous week.
Michigan says it’s going to proceed each day testing with hopes of getting again on the follow area when cleared by medical officers.
The cancellation of this sport places Ohio State at 5 whole video games performed this season, which is beneath the edge put forth by the Massive Ten convention to compete within the convention championship sport in opposition to Northwestern.
The rule states that groups should play in six video games to qualify for the championship sport, until the typical variety of video games all through the convention falls beneath six.
Massive Ten athletic administrators will meet Wednesday, in line with sources, after they may talk about altering the benchmark.
“I simply assume we’ve to take a tough look periodically in any respect these things and that is a kind of conditions,” Buckeyes coach Ryan Day stated Tuesday. “If we do not fairly get the sport we have to get within the championship sport, I believe that must be checked out arduous, identical to anyone else within the convention. There isn’t any straightforward answer in occasions like this.
“I do know these guys are going to come back collectively and take a tough take a look at it and ensure it was the precise determination.”
As well as, if one other Massive Ten sport for Saturday had been to be canceled, the convention may transfer round video games in an effort to get Ohio State to play.
If Purdue, which canceled follow Tuesday to judge its newest COVID-19 testing, needed to cancel in opposition to Indiana, Massive Ten may transfer round video games or have Indiana and Ohio State play once more.
If the convention had been to not alter its guidelines and Ohio State had been to not play Saturday, Indiana could be the East Division’s consultant within the convention championship sport.
