Razorbacks (finally) set to kick off 2020 football season

Arkansas takes on Georgia in SEC clash amid lingering COVID- 19 concerns

news@theeveningtimes.com After speculation and delay, the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Southeastern Conference are finally playing football this weekend. With COVID-19 protocols in place, the SEC is playing a conference-only schedule this season. Some news and notes going into Saturday, with Arkansas taking on Georgia at home.

SEC establishes football game cancellation and rescheduling policies

The Southeastern Conference announced on Friday policies and parameters for football game cancellations, rescheduling of games and no-contest declarations for the 2020 season as the SEC continues to monitor developments related to COVID-19.

To play a football game, the SEC has established minimum thresholds of at least 53 scholarship players available to participate and the following minimum number of position scholarship players available to begin a game: seven (7) offensive linemen (which includes one center), one (1) quarterback and four (4) defensive linemen. The impacted institution has the option to play the game with fewer than the 53 scholarship players or fewer than the minimum number of position players listed above if it elects to do so. Otherwise, upon approval by the Commissioner, the game would be rescheduled or declared a no contest.

In addition, should an institution determine there are compelling reasons why it cannot begin a contest regardless of the scholarship and position minimums above, the institution may request to have the game rescheduled or, if the game cannot be rescheduled, for the game to be considered a no contest by presenting data (including total number of players not available to participate) outlining reasons why the game should not be played as scheduled. The final decision to reschedule or declare the game a no contest is vested only with the Commissioner.

The 2020 SEC football season is slated to begin Sept.

26 and is comprised of a 10-game Conference-only schedule, with the SEC Football Championship Game to be played Dec. 19 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, rescheduled from the original date of Dec. 5. The schedule includes one mid-season open date for each school and an open date on Dec.

12 for all schools.

Each SEC team will play 10 conference football games to include six games against division opponents and four games against non-division opponents.

Going to the game? Know your COVID-19 safety guidelines

As Razorback fans prepare to head to Donald W.

Reynolds Razorback Stadium for the 2020 football season, here are some things every guest at an Arkansas football game should know to help enhance their gameday experience this season.

Due to the ongoing pandemic and in consultation with the Arkansas Department of Health and the Southeastern Conference, the University of Arkansas has instituted a number of protocols in an effort to help fans have a safe and enjoyable game day experience. For the latest information visit the fan gameday information page on ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

• Per Arkansas Department of Health guidelines, Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium will feature reduced capacity based upon current state Phase II social distancing standards. Capacity of the stadium is anticipated to be between 16,000-17,000.

• All guests will be required to wear face coverings (over the nose and mouth) from the time they get in line to enter the stadium until the time of exiting. Masks may be removed temporarily while actively eating or drinking.

Children under 10 years of age are not required to wear a face covering, but the ADH strongly encourages it.

• Lines will be queued at all gates, restrooms, concession stands and merchandise locations, following social distance guidelines with 6-feet distancing markers placed throughout the venue and strictly enforced.

• Contactless transactions will be introduced for concessions and merchandise purchases.

• Handwashing/Hand sanitizing stations will be added throughout facilities to supplement restroom use.

• Extensive cleaning and sanitation efforts including deep cleaning prior to games and disinfecting of high frequency touchpoints throughout the event.

• Mobile-only ticketing will provide contactless experi-

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ence at gates and in the stands. Fans should download their mobile tickets prior to arriving at the stadium.

tickets at the gates.

• The SEC clear bag policy remains in effect for the 2020 football season.

football-related news, for the first time in his career, Arkansas senior running back Rakeem Boyd has been named to the Preseason Coaches All-SEC Second Team, as announced by the league office Thursday.

Boyd led the team in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in 2018 and 2019, totaling 1,867 career rushing yards and 10 scores in his first two seasons on the Hill. As a junior, he ran for 1,133 yards and eight touchdowns, while rushing for over 100 yards in five games. The Houston, Texas native ranked fourth in the SEC and 27th nationally averaging 94.4 yards per game; in addition, Boyd’s 6.4 yards per carry ranked ninth in the conference. On just eight carries, he rushed for a career-best 185 yards against Western Kentucky, averaging 23.1 yards per attempt, including two touchdown runs of 76 and 86 yards with the latter being a career-long.

As a sophomore in 2018, Boyd ranked 10th in the SEC averaging 6.0 yards per carry and 13th among league-leaders totaling 734 rushing yards. His eightcareer 100+ yard singlegame rushing performances make him one of 16 running backs in school history to accomplish the feat.

Boyd is the first Arkansas running back to garner Preseason Coaches All- SEC recognition since Alex Collins was named to the second team in 2014.

The Maxwell, Earl Campbell and Doak Walker Awards tabbed Boyd to their respective watch lists before the 2020 season.

This season’s selection marks the 18th year of the SEC Coaches Preseason All-SEC Team; coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players.

The Razorbacks kick off the season against Georgia at 3 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 26, inside Donald W.

Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network.