Ohio State on Friday confirmed it is going to play Saturday’s sport at Michigan State as a result of COVID-19 points throughout the program have improved.
The fourth-ranked Buckeyes (4-0) are set to fly to East Lansing, Michigan, on Friday evening.
Ohio State canceled final week’s sport at Illinois hours earlier than the scheduled kickoff due to an increase in constructive COVID-19 circumstances amongst gamers and employees. The group paused actions earlier than resuming in-person practices Tuesday and persevering with them all through the week. Ohio State additionally applied enhanced PCR testing to associate with the Huge Ten’s every day antigen testing.
“We’re very assured that we’re heading to East Lansing with a group that may safely compete and whose well being, security and well-being has been our utmost concern,” group doctor Jim Borchers mentioned in a press release. “We have examined, monitored and evaluated our outcomes every day and have suggested the student-athletes, coaches and efficiency employees accordingly. Our inhabitants positivity charge, which exceeded the edge for participation at the moment final week, has now returned on the seven-day rolling common to a stage that enables us to compete safely this weekend.”
Head coach Ryan Day, who examined constructive for COVID-19 late final week, is not going to coach the Michigan State sport. Assistant head coach/line of defense coach Larry Johnson will deal with the head-coaching obligations Saturday, and Day, 41, is anticipated to return to his full duties Monday.
Ohio State has not revealed particular numbers or names relating to the latest constructive COVID-19 checks. Any Huge Ten participant who checks constructive should miss at the least 21 days earlier than returning. Day on Thursday mentioned the Buckeyes could be “slightly short-handed” for Saturday’s sport.
The Buckeyes, who additionally had a sport canceled earlier this season towards Maryland, should play Saturday after which subsequent week to qualify for the Huge Ten championship sport. The league requires a minimal of six video games, though athletic administrators may talk about adjusting the edge. Michigan, which is about to go to Ohio State on Dec. 12, canceled Saturday’s sport with Maryland and paused all group actions following an increase in COVID-19 circumstances this week.
Ohio State mentioned it remained in communication with Michigan State all through the week about its coronavirus state of affairs.
“We presently have student-athletes and employees in both isolation or quarantine protocols proper now,” Borchers mentioned, “and everyone seems to be recovering and doing effectively.”
