Kelly, Swinney concerned about family ban at Rose Bowl

Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney expressed concerns about playing a College Football Playoff semifinal game at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day if players’ families aren’t allowed to attend.

Kelly even went as far as to say “I’m not sure we’ll play in the playoffs if the parents can’t be there.”

The Rose Bowl announced this month that no fans will be allowed at the game because of COVID- 19related restrictions.

The coaches’ comments came during a videoconference call Friday on the eve of the ACC championship game in Charlotte, N. C., between the second- ranked Fighting Irish and the No. 3 Tigers.

Swinney suggested the game should be moved to another location if families aren’t allowed to attend.

Washington and Utah announced they will not pursue bowl bids in the wake of their COVID- 19 outbreaks this season. ... Florida State’s football game Saturday at Wake Forest was canceled because a positive test and contact tracing left the Seminoles without enough offensive linemen to play. ... Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz tested positive for COVID- 19. ... The Big East announced that a Dec. 30 men’s basketball game between St. John’s and No. 7 Villanova was postponed. ... NBC broadcaster Al Michaels will not work Sunday night’s game between the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants in keeping with NBCUniversal’s COVID- 19 safety protocols. ... The Denver Broncos canceled their walk- through after strength and conditioning coach Loren Landow tested positive for the coronavirus. ... The International Ice Hockey Federation said eight players from Germany’s team at the World Junior Championship tested positive for COVID- 19 inside the Edmonton, Canada, bubble. ... The Victorian state government has conf irmed that all players at the Australian Open will be required to quarantine in Melbourne for 14 days before the delayed start of the Feb. 8- 21 Grand Slam tennis tournament.