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The Pac-12 Football season is back on — and though modified quite a bit — each team will be in action this year for at least seven games.
OFFICIAL: Pac-12 announces resumption of football, basketball & winter sports seasons. Full information below.
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) September 24, 2020
: https://t.co/8fsTopdbZX
The Pac-12 made the decision after striking a deal with Quidel Corporation to provide daily antigen testing for the coronavirus. Commissioner Larry Scott released a statement saying the conference made the decision based on the safety of the student-athletes.
“From the beginning of this crisis, our focus has been on following the science, data and counsel of our public health and infectious disease experts. Our agreement with Quidel to provide daily rapid-results testing has been a game-changer in enabling us to move forward with confidence that we can create a safe environment for our student-athletes while giving them the opportunity to pursue their dreams. At the same time, we will continue to monitor health conditions and data and be ready to adjust as required in the name of the health of all.”
No fans will be permitted to attend the games but at the very least, we’ll get to see each of our 12 member universities play seven games.
Also of note from their release is that the Pac-12 schools will be able to practice starting immediately, as long as its within local health guidelines.
#Pac12 teams "may commence practice immediately" with approval from public health officials
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) September 24, 2020
There is much more to learn about the plans to play but at this rate, we can all rejoice that we’re going to see our 12 teams in action. Credit is due, in some major part, to the USC Trojans and their players, who commissioned a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom documenting their desire to play despite the local health guidelines restraining them.
USC AD Mike Bohn: It is "a symbol of the central role USC plays in the Pac-12 that the letter from our players to California Governor Gavin Newsom galvanized our collective return to play efforts.”
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) September 24, 2020
The Pac-12 is back — and we’ll be back with more on the season as we ramp up practices across the west coast.