Game on: TCU, Iowa State are both cleared to open Big 12 play on Saturday
TCU football will officially open its season on Saturday.
Both TCU and Iowa State have been cleared to play the Big 12 opener at 12:30 p.m. at Amon G. Carter Stadium, spokespersons for both schools told the Star-Telegram.
As part of its COVID-19 protocols, the Big 12 requires teams have a minimum of 53 players, including seven offensive linemen, four interior defensive linemen and one quarterback. The teams both conducted COVID-19 tests on Friday, and each will meet those thresholds for the game.
“For starters, we’re relieved,” TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati said. “We’ve put a lot of work in to get to this point. I’m proud of the way my team has handled it. It hasn’t been easy or without a lot of challenges, but we kept pushing forward. We’re really excited about getting a chance to play in front of home crowd.”
Approximately 12,000 fans will be on hand at the 46,000-seat venue. Donati expects more than 3,000 students to attend the game.
TCU is requiring fans on hand to wear masks and to socially distance.
Donati is hopeful that fans follow the guidelines in place to ensure fans can attend future games. A number of colleges are not allowing attendance this year.
“It’s important everyone follows the rules because there’s no guarantee we can do this in the future,” Donati said. “We need people to comply with what we hope are temporary rules.”
Donati went on to say he expects an “awesome environment” despite the limited capacity. TCU has spent weeks reinventing the game-day experience amid the pandemic.
From how fans enter the stadium to concession offerings to Frog Alley, it’s been completely overhauled. However, the goal remains to produce an enjoyable experience for all involved.
For instance, TCU will have the national championship trophy on hand at Frog Alley before the game, a nod to TCU coach Gary Patterson serving as the president of the American Football Coaches Association this year. The iconic crystal football is the second-most recognized trophy in sports behind the Stanley Cup, according to Coaches’ Trophy spokesman and Amway brand manager John Kloosterman.
At the end of the day, TCU is just happy to be playing football again. This is a program that has gone through five different season opening possibilities.
The Horned Frogs had plans to start the season at some point against Cal, UNLV, Tennessee Tech and SMU, only to see those games disrupted amid the pandemic. But TCU and Iowa State have both been cleared and will take the field on Saturday.
“I give coach Patterson and our team a lot of credit,” Donati said. “They’ve handled everything very professionally — the challenges and disappointments along the way. They deserve an opportunity to compete and I know they’re fired up. I’m looking forward to watching them play tomorrow.”
This story was originally published September 25, 2020 at 1:03 PM.
