California Governor: Nothing In State Guidelines Preventing College Football Teams From Playing

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – California Governor Gavin Newsom responded to the questions of the state guidelines that prevented college football teams from playing.

Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott has mentioned on multiple occasions that the state of California and Oregon are both preventing the six schools in the conference that reside in those states from holding contact practices. It was mentioned again in a statement that Scott released on Wednesday morning following the Big Ten’s decision to begin their football season at the end of October.

“At this time, our universities in California and Oregon do not have approval from state or local public health officials to start contact practice,” Scott stated. “We are hopeful that our new daily testing capability can help satisfy public health official approvals in California and Oregon to begin contact practice and competition. We are equally closely monitoring the devastating fires and air quality in our region at this time. We are eager for our student-athletes to have the opportunity to play this season, as soon as it can be done safely and in accordance with public health authority approvals.”

NEW: Statement from the @pac12 after the @bigten announced they’ll start football in late October. pic.twitter.com/1GOb81LEK0

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 16, 2020

Since that statement, Scott has spoken to Governor Newsom on Wednesday and said that none of their guidelines are preventing teams in the state from playing games.

This transcription from Oregon 247Sports reporter Kevin Wade lays that out.

“When we put out guidelines a month or so ago and we aligned them with the NCAA, there’s nothing in the state guidelines that denies the Pac-12 from having conference games. There’s nothing in these guidelines that denies these games from occurring. We put out very, I thought, thoughtful guidelines, in again, partnership with the NCAA about cohorting during workouts and practices,” Newsom said. “Now this manifests very differently depending on the sport. Basketball cohorting of up to 12 might be a little easier than football up to 12. Offensive and defensive teams are able to coordinate and practice.

“Nothing in the state guidelines deny the ability for the Pac-12 to resume,” Newsom added. “Quite the contrary, that has been a misrepresentation of the facts… I talked to Larry Scott about two hours ago, we’re committed to working with the Pac-12, working with the NCAA to keep our kids safe, to keep our coaches safe, to keep coaching staff, friends, and family safe and to keep the larger campus community safe. Remember these are student-athletes. They are not isolated in a bubble like our NBA superstars are.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on the Pac-12 returning to play.

Says there is nothing preventing the Pac-12 from holding games. pic.twitter.com/b0CKcMZ84a

— Kevin Wade (@KwadeSays) September 16, 2020

The state guidelines currently limit higher education institutions from training cohorts to groups no bigger than 12 people.

Later in the briefing, Newsom made it clear that football can be played in the state in the Pac-12.

When he pressed on this again…he was even more clear:

He says the Pac 12 can re-open football now…its up to them. Nothing in his guidelines stop them from playing.

— Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) September 16, 2020

Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.