SALT LAKE CITY — The good news — as in the really, really good news to break Thursday evening — is that the Pac-12 will play some football this fall after all.
Though it will only be a seven-game modified season, that’s seven more games than everybody thought the Utah Utes were going to play this fall.
“Our CEO Group has taken a measured and thoughtful approach to today’s decision, including extensive consultation with stakeholders on the evolving information and data related to health and safety.” — Pac-12 CEO Group Chair and University of Oregon President Michael Schill
If there’s bad news to go along with the Pac-12’s exciting announcement, it’s that there won’t be any fans allowed at any of the games that take place on the conference’s campuses.
The Utes would have been limited in the number of fans being able to attend anyway, what with the renovation of the south end of Rice-Eccles Stadium. That section, which will include state-of-the-art locker rooms, is completely torn apart now.
That fan restriction is for all sports that will now take place this fall, not just football. The Pac-12 also approved a Nov. 25 beginning for basketball.
The Pac-12 will revisit its no-fans policy based on health and safety considerations in January 2021, according to a statement from the conference.
“The health and safety of our student-athletes and all those connected to Pac-12 sports remains our guiding light and number one priority,” Pac-12 CEO Group Chair and University of Oregon President Michael Schill said via a news release.
“Our CEO Group has taken a measured and thoughtful approach to today’s decision, including extensive consultation with stakeholders on the evolving information and data related to health and safety.”
The Utes ended the 2019 season having totaled 64 straight sellouts. The Utes’ stellar season included a third all-time home attendance high of 46,462 per game.