football

Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after the conference announced it would push football and other fall sports to spring because of the pandemic, the conference changed course. The Big Ten plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 24 with an eight-game schedule for each team. The Big Ten says its Council of Presidents and Chancellors voted unanimously to restart sports. Back in August, the conference voted to postpone fall sports. 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — The Associated Press and other news organizations and publishers have no digital images from Saturday’s Notre Dame home game against Duke because of the school’s COVID-19 restrictions. Notre Dame did not allow independent photojournalists on the field or in the stands to photograph its opening game. The school used three photographers it employs to shoot images that will be uploaded to the Atlantic Coast Conference’s website.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Bar and restaurant owners in South Bend are exploring ways to attract more customers after the University of Notre Dame limited attendance at Irish football games to help combat the spread of the coronavirus. The school’s decision to limit attendance to 20% of stadium capacity and ban campus tailgating sent bars, restaurants and venues scrambling to come up with ways to make up some of the potential revenue shortfall.

Goshen Community School officials have announced that two upcoming varsity games for the football team will be canceled after a player tested positive for COVID-19. The game this coming Friday against Mishawaka and the game Sept. 11 against Northwood will not be played.

Notre Dame has posted online what the university's policies will be as it relates to attendance at home football games this season during the pandemic. 

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan has crossed the threshold of 100,000 cases of the coronavirus confirmed since March. The state health department says deaths related to COVID-19 reached 6,446 after six more were recorded Friday. Most people recover from the virus. But for older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause pneumonia and lead to death. Meanwhile, the state Education Department says 86% of public school districts are offering in-person instruction for the new year, even if it’s just two to three days per week.

Officials with the Michigan High School Athletic Assn. announced that the fall 2020 football season will not be played.

The Mid-American Conference has become the first league at college football's highest level to cancel its fall season because of COVID-19. MAC schools rely heavily on revenue from road games against power conference teams. Most of those games were canceled when the Power Five went to exclusively or mostly conference schedules. Without them, the strain became too much of trying to keep players and staff safe during a pandemic.

The Big Ten released its 10-game conference-only football schedule beginning as early as Labor Day weekend but cautioned there is no certainty games will be played. The Big Ten had announced a month ago it would shorten the season and eliminate nonconference games because of the coronavirus pandemic. Teams will play conference opponents they originally were scheduled to meet and will have one additional cross-division game. The regular season runs through Nov. 21. The 10 games would be played over at least 12 weeks, with each team having two open dates.

Notre Dame will play in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season as part of a plan to play 10 league games and start the week of Sept. 7, alterations brought on by the pandemic. The ACC's university presidents approved the plan for an 11-game schedule, including on nonconference game, and for pushing back the league championship game from Dec. 5 to either Dec. 12 or 19. Notre Dame will play in a football conference for the first time in the 133-year history of the program if the season is played. 

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan State University football team has suspended workouts and its players will quarantine for 14 days after a second staff member and a player tested positive for the coronavirus. Meanwhile, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has extended a ban on family visitors at nursing homes and congregate care sites through Aug. 31. There's an exception for people who want to see someone in serious or critical condition or in hospice care. Facilities must make "best efforts" to help residents communicate with people by phone or electronic devices.

This weekend Concord Schools has announced that football workouts are suspended until July 27 after a coaching staff member tested positive for the coronavirus.

Two of Mishawaka High School's athletic programs are being impacted by the coronavirus. 

(A release posted on the school's sports website is below.) 

Today we were informed of two separate incidents related to COVID-19 involving Mishawaka Athletics:

MHS Boys Football

The University of Michigan says fewer fans, if any, will attend games at "The Big House" if the Wolverines play college football games this year.

The Big Ten Conference won’t play nonconference games in football or other sports this fall because of the coronavirus pandemic.The league made the announcement on Thursday citing medical advice, but also added the caveat that that’s only “if the Conference is able to participate in fall sports.” The announcement came a day after the Ivy League Conference canceled sporting events until at least January.  

The IU football team will begin voluntary workouts June 15th. Other sports will follow in July and August.

Indiana University Athletic Director Fred Glass announced a phased in return of athletic activities for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — To those who knew former Indiana University football player Chris Beaty, it was no surprise that he would participate in a protest over the death of George Floyd. That a man they saw as a “gentle giant” who brought positivity everywhere he went would turn up dead in an alley after a peaceful demonstration turned violent was unfathomable. Michael Cranfill, a restaurant and craft beer taproom owner, says Beaty was someone ”who would take every opportunity he could to bring people together.” Beaty's body was found Saturday night not far from his apartment.

Today Notre Dame announced that a game originally scheduled to be played in Ireland will now be played in Maryland.

Michigan State has hired coach Mel Tucker away from Colorado to lead its football program.

Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio is retiring after a 13-year run. Defensive coordinator Mike Tressel will be the acting head coach while Michigan State seeks a replacement.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Authorities are looking for a man accused of threatening to shoot up Ohio State University and hurt players on the football team in 2018.

A September indictment unsealed last month accuses Daniel Rippy of making the “electronic communication” threat from California during the annual game between Ohio State and the University of Michigan in 2018, which was played in Columbus that year.

Ohio State won the game 62-39.

Rippy was arrested Dec. 28 in Livermore, California, and released on bond Monday.

Ian Books threw for 247 yards and one touchdown to lead 14th-ranked Notre Dame to a 33-9 victory over Iowa State in the Camping World Bowl. Tony Jones Jr. scored on an 84-yard run and finished with 135 yards rushing.

Game MVP Chase Claypool had seven receptions for 146 yards and one TD. Brock Purdy threw for 222 yards without an interception for Iowa State.

The sophomore quarterback was unable to get the Cyclones in the end zone, though, after throwing for 27 touchdowns during the regular season.

Notre Dame has announced it will play in the Camping World Bowl against Iowa State on Saturday, Dec. 28 (Noon ET, ABC).

The Fighting Irish are headed to a bowl game for the ninth time in 10 seasons.

Notre Dame (ranked 15th) and Iowa State (unranked) have never met in football. The Cyclones will become the 148th different opponent for Notre Dame.