Penn State Nittany Lions
FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo, Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman (13) runs the ball down the field for a touchdown against Penn State during an NCAA college football game, in Minneapolis. Bateman has decided to opt back in to the 2020 football season in light of the Big Ten’s resumption of fall competition. That's contingent on the star junior gaining the necessary eligibility clearance. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)
Bateman back for Minnesota, but no Parsons for Penn State

By Ralph D. Russo 23 hrs ago

FILE - In this March 12, 2020, file photo, Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren addresses the media in Indianapolis. The Big Ten’s plan to play football this fall includes trying to save lives in the future. The conference announced Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, it would have a football season this fall. The Big Ten is setting up a cardiac registry to study the effects COVID-19 has on student-athletes' hearts. Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren said it will help all students, surrounding communities, and the entire nation. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Big Ten teams start sprint toward unusual football season

By Michael Marot Sep. 17, 2020 03:01 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2013, file photo, Ohio State plays against Florida A&M at Ohio Stadium during an NCAA college football game in Columbus, Ohio. What is most commonly referred to as major college football (aka NCAA Division I Bowl Subdivision or FBS) is compromised of 130 teams and 10 conferences. Seventy-seven of those teams are scheduled to play throughout the fall, starting at various times in September. The other 53, including the entire Big Ten and Pac-12, have postponed their seasons and are hoping to make them up later. That means no No. 2 Ohio State, No. 7 Penn State, No. 9 Oregon and six other teams that were ranked in the preseason AP Top 25. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
AP Source: Big Ten presidents to reconsider fall football

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 12, 2020 05:59 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, Florida head coach Dan Mullen watches from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri in Columbia, Mo. Mullen had several players miss the team’s opening training camp practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
Ex-Penn State WR Shorter gets waiver to play now at Florida

By Mark Long Sep. 11, 2020 10:15 AM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019 file photo, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day watches from the sidelines during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson, in Glendale, Ariz. Clemson is preseason No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, a poll featuring nine Big Ten and Pac-12 teams that gives a glimpse at what’s already been taken from an uncertain college football fall by the pandemic. Ohio State was a close No. 2. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Why not us?: Ohio State's Day wants answers from Big Ten

By Mitch Stacy Sep. 10, 2020 05:55 PM EDT

FILE - Notre Dame Stadium is shown during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Notre Dame and Michigan State in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013. What is most commonly referred to as major college football (aka NCAA Division I Bowl Subdivision or FBS) is compromised of 130 teams and 10 conferences. Seventy-seven of those teams are scheduled to play throughout the fall, starting at various times in September. The other 53, including the entire Big Ten and Pac-12, have postponed their seasons and are hoping to make them up later. That means no No. 2 Ohio State, No. 7 Penn State, No. 9 Oregon and six other teams that were ranked in the preseason AP Top 25. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan State-Notre Dame 9/21/2013

Sep. 02, 2020 12:21 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2013, file photo, Ohio State plays against Florida A&M at Ohio Stadium during an NCAA college football game in Columbus, Ohio. What is most commonly referred to as major college football (aka NCAA Division I Bowl Subdivision or FBS) is compromised of 130 teams and 10 conferences. Seventy-seven of those teams are scheduled to play throughout the fall, starting at various times in September. The other 53, including the entire Big Ten and Pac-12, have postponed their seasons and are hoping to make them up later. That means no No. 2 Ohio State, No. 7 Penn State, No. 9 Oregon and six other teams that were ranked in the preseason AP Top 25. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
T25-OHIO STATE VS OHIO

Sep. 02, 2020 12:21 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2019, file photo, Clemson running back Travis Etienne scores a touchdown against Ohio State during the second half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal, in Glendale, Ariz. Etienne was selected to The Associated Press preseason All-America first-team, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
AP Preseason All-America Team

By The Associated Press Aug. 25, 2020 12:01 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2019, file photo, LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) intercepts the ball from Georgia wide receiver George Pickens (1) during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game in Atlanta. Stingley Jr. was selected to The Associated Press preseason All-America first-team, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Parsons, Sewell among AP preseason All-Americans not playing

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 25, 2020 12:00 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 4, 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings chief operating officer Kevin Warren talks to reporters after being named Big Ten Conference Commissioner during a news conference in Rosemont, Ill. After the Power Five conference commissioners met Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, to discuss mounting concern about whether a college football season can be played in a pandemic, players took to social media to urge leaders to let them play.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
Big Ten's Warren, under fire, elaborates on virus concerns

By Eric Olson Aug. 19, 2020 07:10 PM EDT

Gates leading into Memorial Stadium are padlocked, in Lincoln, Neb., Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. The Big Ten won't play football this fall because of concerns about COVID-19, becoming the first of college sports' power conferences to yield to the pandemic. The move was announced Tuesday. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
NCAA's top doctor: COVID-19 testing needs to improve to play

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 16, 2020 01:24 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields rolls out to throw against Michigan during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich. Ohio State opens preseason training camp on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, with strict coronavirus protocols in place and under a cloud of uncertainty about whether a revised 10-game season will even be played at all. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Postponing season puts NFL prospects in a holding pattern

By Mitch Stacy Aug. 13, 2020 02:58 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2019, file photo, Oregon offensive lineman Penei Sewell (58) looks on as Oregon plays Auburn in an NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas. After the Power Five conference commissioners met Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, to discuss mounting concern about whether a college football season can be played in a pandemic, players took to social media to urge leaders to let them play. to discuss mounting concern about whether a college football season can be played in a pandemic, players took to social media to urge leaders to let them play. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
College football in the spring: When? How much? Who plays?

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 12, 2020 03:26 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2019, file photo, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs with the ball against Wisconsin during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, in Indianapolis. After the Power Five conference commissioners met Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, to discuss mounting concern about whether a college football season can be played in a pandemic, players took to social media to urge leaders to let them play. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Trump, coaches push for college football as cracks emerge

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 10, 2020 03:22 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 11, 2020, file photo, Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby announces no fans will be admitted to the rest of the Big 12 basketball tournament, in Kansas City, Kan. After the Power Five conference commissioners met Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, to discuss mounting concern about whether a college football season can be played in a pandemic, players took to social media to urge leaders to let them play. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)
Players unite in push to save college season, create union

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 10, 2020 04:02 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons (11) tackles Rutgers tight end Johnathan Lewis (11) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, in State College, Pa. Penn State All-American Micah Parsons is opting out of the 2020 season because of concerns about COVID-19. The junior linebacker made his announcement with a social media post Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)
As college leaders meet, football players push to play

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 09, 2020 10:34 PM EDT

The Latest: Saints have two on COVID-19 reserve list.

By The Associated Press Aug. 06, 2020 02:37 PM EDT
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ The New Orleans Saints have...

Star Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons opts out of season

By The Associated Press Aug. 06, 2020 02:29 PM EDT
Penn State All-American Micah Parsons is opting out of the 2020 season because of concerns about COVID-19. The junior linebacker made his...

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, file photo, Penn State offensive lineman Will Fries (71) plays against Washington during the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, in Glendale, Ariz. These times amid the coronavirus pandemic have brought an extra level of anxiety for current college players hoping for a stellar season or at least one that will raise their profile with NFL scouts. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Virus has NFL prospects pondering threat of a lost season

By Mitch Stacy May. 18, 2020 01:43 AM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, file photo, Penn State offensive lineman Will Fries (71) plays against Washington during the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, in Glendale, Ariz. These times amid the coronavirus pandemic have brought an extra level of anxiety for current college players hoping for a stellar season or at least one that will raise their profile with NFL scouts. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Washington at Penn State 12/30/2017

May. 18, 2020 12:01 AM EDT