It appears the Nebraska Cornhuskers won't play football this fall.
Before the Big Ten officially postponed football and other fall sports because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Nebraska coach Scott Frost told reporters he was willing to play a season outside of the conference.
"We want to play a Big Ten schedule. I think the only reason we would look at any other options is if for some reason the Big Ten wasn't playing and only a handful of teams from the Big Ten wanted to continue playing. I think if that's the case, I think we're prepared to look at any and all options."
On Thursday, however, Nebraska chancellor Ronnie Green and president Ted Carter issued a joint statement on the matter.
A joint statement from me and @UofNE_President Ted Carter on the Big Ten. pic.twitter.com/zRmI5HaBT1
— Ronnie D. Green (@RonnieDGreen) August 13, 2020
As ESPN's Dave Wilson noted, the Big Ten currently holds the media rights for Nebraska sports programs, including football. This always made the Huskers and any other league member playing outside the conference unlikely even for one season.
On Wednesday, Ohio State coach Ryan Day campaigned for an eight-game Big Ten football schedule that would theoretically begin "the first week of January" 2021.
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