A rare sign of positive news for NCAA Football.
While some colleges such as Clemson have seen rises in COVID-19 cases as the summer training period begins in anticipation of the college football season, Notre Dame finds themselves in a drastically different boat.
Earlier this afternoon, the school announced the results of its latest round of COVID-19 testing: 103 tests, 103 negatives. The university also announced that none of the tested athletes had antibodies and that the only positive player from the first round of testing recovered.
Looking at the bigger picture, of 252 total tests, only one member of the Notre Dame football program has tested positive thus far, a mere 0.4% that falls well below the national average.
Notre Dame had zero positives in latest round of COVID tests.
While it is a small sample size and only a single school, Notre Dame’s results may bode well for college football’s potential in the fall. Many have become increasingly doubtful of the season due to spikes in other schools and states across the country. It also makes one wonder why there is such a disparity among schools that should be following similar safety protocols.
Numerous ideas have been floated around to combat the virus’ impact, including conference-only schedules, limited air travel and even pushing back fall sports in their entirety. With their position as an independent program, Notre Dame may be in one of the most unique positions were any of those adjustments to come into effect. What is a conference-less school expected to do when they have no one to play?
It certainly would be an interesting conversation. If other universities see similar successful testing results like Notre Dame, though, then hopefully we won’t have to witness that reality.
For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.