By Jarra Gojolo — Content Editor
The Big Ten Conference is moving all fall sports to “Conference-only schedules” this year, effectively cancelling SJSU’s Sept. 19 game at Penn State.
The decision comes as schools around the country are preparing for football to return for practices later this month.
“By limiting competition to other Big Ten institutions, the Conference will have the greatest flexibility to adjust its own operations throughout the season and make quick decisions in real-time based on the most current evolving medical advice and the fluid nature of the pandemic,” the Big Ten said in the announcement.
With the game’s cancellation, SJSU now has a hole in its schedule. The Mountain West hasn’t made an announcement, but with the schedules of SJSU and Air Force (who was supposed to play Purdue) one opponent short, they may now have to react to its fellow conferences accordingly.
Penn State’s withdrawal throws a proverbial wrench in SJSU’s financial situation as well.
The Nittany Lions were slated to pay $1.5 million for the game, but with the game no longer on the schedule it’s yet to be determined if SJSU will receive that amount.
“The actions by the Big Ten Conference will require a shift for us and we will adjust our plans for the 2020 football season and the 2020-21 academic year accordingly,” SJSU athletic director Marie Tuite said in the school’s announcement.
The Spear will continue to provide updates to this story as more information becomes available.
Follow Jarra on Twitter — @JarraGojolo