After discussions with local and state officials, the West Virginia athletic department announced Monday the Mountaineers’ Big 12 Conference home opener against Baylor on Oct. 3 at Milan Puskar Stadium will be played without spectators.
Athletic officials said with safety precautions being implemented amid the covid-19 pandemic, only essential game operations personnel and families of the players and football staff will be admitted to the stadium.
“I understand it’s a disappointing decision but it’s the correct one,” WVU athletic director Shane Lyons said in a news release.
“We have to do what’s best for the safety of the university and our local community. Our plans for a socially distanced seating manifest in the stadium have been ready for some time, but we need conditions to improve on campus and in the community before we can proceed. I encourage everyone to test when the opportunity to do so is made available.”
Socially distanced plans for the WVU cheer squad and members of the Pride of West Virginia marching band are being finalized, athletic officials said.
It also was announced Monday the game against the Bears will kick off at noon and will be televised on ABC.
The same course of action regarding spectators was taken for the Mountaineers’ season opener, a 56-10 victory over Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 12.
“I continue to ask Mountaineer Nation for its understanding,” Lyons said. “We are doing everything possible to have fans at our home football games this season, and I can assure you that our players, coaches and department staff want that to happen. Taking aggressive and appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of this virus along with regular testing remains the key for all of us.”
WVU returns to action and begins Big 12 play at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at No. 15 Oklahoma State.
The Cowboys defeated Tulsa, 16-7, on Saturday.
