Only conference games for OAC football in 2020

The Ohio Athletic Conference will have a fall sports season.

It might not look like it was originally planned to look, but a plan is in place.

The league announced on July 2 that football, soccer and volleyball will have league-only competition this fall. Meanwhile, cross country, golf and tennis will be permitted competition outside the conference.

The announcement to limit football, soccer and volleyball to conference-only games was made to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“The health and safety of our student-athletes is of utmost concern as well as the campuses and communities they are in,” OAC Commissioner Tim Gleason said in a statement. “We believe we have reached a great balance of health and safety while at the same time providing a vibrant sports schedule for the student-athletes.”

Fall competition will not begin in any sport until Sept. 19.

The OAC has adopted the NCAA’s three-phase Resocialization Plan on campus, 14 days in each Phase One and Two with varying days per sport in Phase Three.

The announcement means that John Carroll will no longer be opening its season on Sept. 5 at Ithaca College in New York. Rather, Coach Rick Finotti’s team will open Saturday, Sept. 19 at home against Otterbein.

“I’m beyond excited,” said JCU quarterback Jake Floriea, a Mentor product. “There are so many different

options that would have been way worse. I’m just thrilled we finally know we’ll be playing football in the fall.”

Instead of opening its season Sept. 5 against visiting Westminster, Mount Union will now open Sept. 19 at Baldwin Wallace.

“It’s been wild with everything that’s been going on,” said Mount Union running back Josh Petruccelli, a Perry graduate. “I’m glad we’re just losing one game off our schedule and not our whole season like some schools. We’ve still got nine games on our schedule, and then playoffs.”

Optimism is high both at John Carroll and at Mount Union.

John Carroll went 8-1 overall and 7-1 in the OAC last year, its only loss being to Mount Union, 37-14, last

September. But that loss was enough to keep the Blue Streaks out of the Division III playoffs.

The Blue Streaks were itching to get back to work in spring ball, but that was canceled because of COVID-19.

The July 2 announcement that there would be a season was met with anticipation by the players.

“I’m fine with that,” said JCU running back Michael Canganelli, a Mayfield product, of the ninegame conference slate. “We didn’t have spring ball, so I’m just happy for a season. I’m pumped for it, since I’m a senior.”

Ditto goes for Petruccelli. The Purple Raiders went 11-1 last year, but were upset by North Central, Ill., in the second round of the playoffs in a 59-52 offensive

slugfest.

That loss left a bitter taste in the mouths of the returning players.

With this year’s Stagg Bowl slated to be played at nearby Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Mount Union has a circle of redemption on its calendar — one that was in question until the July 2 announcement was made by the OAC.

“Usually people dread the start of camp because of how hard it is,” Petruccelli said. “But this year is going to be different because we haven’t played in so long. There are so many expectations of Mount Union football to make it to the Stagg Bowl. There’s more excitement to it this year because it’s at Tom Benson. That gives us even more motivation.”