Buckeyes back at Ohio Stadium for open practice

The Buckeyes are back. Before today’s cool, gray autumn morning gave way to abundant sunshine, the Ohio State football team opened a portion of their Saturday morning practice to members of the media in Ohio Stadium.

It was the first chance for many to see the team since the Big Ten football season was canceled and then revived last month. It was also a chance to see a team that is only three weeks away from starting a season unlike any other.

“The only way to get ready to play football is to play football,” Head Coach Ryan Day said in a Friday press conference.

Day said this week that he wants his team to get used to playing inside an unusually quiet Ohio Stadium. Big Ten rules will prohibit fans from attending games this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Practice was open to the media for about 30 minutes. The Buckeyes were able to begin padded practice this week after the conference announced all student-athletes and staff personnel involved in close contact sports would receive rapid antigen surveillance testing prior to every practice and game. 

Day said about 170 students, coaches and support staff are part of the testing program at Ohio State.

Ohio State opens the season at home against Nebraska on Oct. 24.