COLUMBUS, Ohio — If Ohio State plays a game at Oregon as scheduled during the college football season, the nonconference game in Eugene may occur in front of a much smaller crowd than would be expected for such an appealing matchup.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown asked on Thursday that large gatherings, including sporting events, be canceled or modified to reduce the number of people in attendance through at least September.
She cited the absence of “reliable treatment” or a vaccine to prevent fans from contracting COVID-19, according to the Associated Press.
The Buckeyes are set to face Oregon on Sept. 12 at Autzen Stadium, a 54,000-seat venue that is considered one of the more hostile stadiums in the nation.
A large group of Ohio State has been expected to make the trip to the Pacific Northwest for the marquee matchup.
According to a copy of the game contact, OSU had received an allotment of 4,000 tickets.
The recommendation from Brown did specify the extent to which games in the state should be modified or how much the size of the crowd should be reduced.
The Buckeyes are set to open the 2020 season the previous weekend in Columbus against Bowling Green.
When asked about the status of the season in an appearance on the Paul Finebaum Show the previous day, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said it was too early to make any prediction.
“I don’t think we know, and anybody who tells you they know is making it up,” DeWine said. “So I’m not going to make it up.”
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