FBS Game to Feature One End Zone

[TexasTerror]

Did they not know this would be a safety concern previously? Unbelievable... they will even switch benches in each half too!


Only one end zone will be used for offense Saturday at Wrigley Field for the Illinois-Northwestern game because of safety concerns, the Big Ten announced Friday.

The east end zone is just feet away from the right-field wall, and although there is padding, there still were concerns that players could be injured there.

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald had said this week that he would have different game plans for each end zone to avoid the possibility of injury.

When a team is on offense Saturday, it will be positioned to head to the west end zone.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/ncf/news/story?id=5824661

[Dblue]

This is one of the dumbest things ever. xeyebrowx
Do they pause the game on an INT or fumble recovery?

[biggie]

Wow, just wow.

[Franks Tanks]

Playing at Wrigley has a lot of people talking about an otherwise meaningless game. Just like the Army-Notre Dame clash at Yankee stadium this Saturday.

It's not really a big deal.

[gsu_paintballer]

This is one of the dumbest things ever. xeyebrowx
Do they pause the game on an INT or fumble recovery?

Of course not. Defensive players won't be running vertical receiving routes into the EZ.

[I Bleed Purple]

Talk about a SNAFU.

[MorgantonAPPAlum]

So those fans who bought east end zone tickets thinkiing they would see the action up close, I'm guessing they're getting a refund if they ask for one. Right?;)xlolx

[Big Al]

Personally, I don't see the big deal. Throw some extra padding on there.

[darell1976]

Whats the difference between having a wall at the end of the end zone and having the goal posts in the middle of the end zone like they do in the CFL?

[Dblue]

Of course not. Defensive players won't be running vertical receiving routes into the EZ.

You haven't seen me run after a few beers. :D

[superman7515]

Personally, I don't see the big deal. Throw some extra padding on there.

The big deal is that it is literally against NCAA regulations. Technically, if they wanted to, tomorrow's game wouldn't count because the field does not meet the minimum standards/requirements set.

[gsu_paintballer]

The big deal is that it is literally against NCAA regulations. Technically, if they wanted to, tomorrow's game wouldn't count because the field does not meet the minimum standards/requirements set.

Another good point. That's what those random dashed line are for on the sideline, if you were curious.
http://www.pictureninja.com/pages/united-states/california/stanford-football-stadium.jpg

[Hood]

As I understand after reading articles across the web on this issue, the people are worried more about wide receivers going out of bounds for a TD and smacking the wall. There will be no game stoppage for turnovers. If it's an INT for a long return, then they'll let it go until the play stops, then mark it to the appropriate side of the field.

I want to watch this for the sheer nonsense factor but I doubt I'll catch it.