LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The University of Nebraska's athletic director remains hopeful that the Big Ten will change course and allow fans to attend conference football games in 2020.
The Lincoln Journal Star reported that Athletic Director Bill Moos said Thursday that he will continue to push for a limited number of fans to be allowed in Memorial Stadium this season.
The Big Ten is starting the season later than other major conferences, on Oct. 24.
"I think it's an advantage for us to see what's happening in other areas of the country," Moos said. "Some places are accommodating a larger number of fans. We're going to need some data to fall back on, but I'm going to continue to observe and press for consideration - or reconsideration, I should say - as we move through the season."
Nebraska opens its season Oct. 24 at Ohio State, and the Huskers play their first home game against Wisconsin on Oct. 31.
The season opens as Nebraska and several other states are seeing a big rise in COVID-19 cases. Nebraska's online dashboard shows 55,428 confirmed cases and the state has reported 530 deaths.
Though tickets are not being sold to the public for Big Ten games, parents are allowed to attend at most schools, including Nebraska.
"I would want as many fans in Memorial Stadium as local health authorities would approve," Moos said. "I was hopeful we could be at 25 or 30 percent (of capacity), and maybe even nudge up to 50 percent. We had and still have plans that we feel very comfortable with in regards to the health and safety of our fans, and of course our coaches, players and staff."