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Ohio State vs. Illinois game canceled over more COVID-19 positives

By Alicia de Artola

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day (center) and defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs(right) and place kicker Dominic DiMaccio (28)after the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day (center) and defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs(right) and place kicker Dominic DiMaccio (28)after the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ohio State and Illinois will not play this weekend after more positive COVID-19 tests hit the Buckeyes on the eve of their trip.

Things just went from bad to worse for the Ohio State Buckeyes on the COVID-19 front.

On Friday night, Ohio State officially announced the cancelation of their game against Illinois after more cases of coronavirus were found in the program during a round of PCR testing on Friday afternoon.

Head coach Ryan Day tested positive for the coronavirus and was expected to miss the game as a result, but the Buckeyes still hoped to play before more testing nixed that idea.

“The health, safety and well-being of our student-athlete is our main concern, and our decisions on their welfare will continue to be guided by our medical staff,” athletic director Gene Smith said in a statement.

The athletic department has paused all team-related football activities until medical staff determines it is safe to resume.

Ohio State’s Big Ten title hopes are now in jeopardy

It’s not just the Illinois game that could be impacted by the COVID-19 cases among the Buckeyes.

Those who test positive for the coronavirus are expected to isolate for at least 10 days while the Big Ten has additional rules governing when a player can return to action. For Wisconsin’s quarterback, that meant three weeks out after a positive test.

Canceling the Illinois game means Ohio State couldn’t meet minimum thresholds to play in terms of player availability. If those same players remain out for more than a week, the Buckeyes may not be able to play against Michigan State on Dec. 5.

Since the Big Ten requires a minimum of six games played to be eligible for the conference title game, Ohio State is now in serious trouble. If the Michigan State game is canceled they will not be able to compete for the Big Ten Championship.

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