[naviga:h3]Big Ten slashes nonconference tilts[/naviga:h3]

The Big Ten Conference announced Thursday it will not play nonconference games in football and several other sports this fall, the most dramatic move yet by a power conference because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The league cited medical advice in making its decision and added ominously that the plan would be applied only “if the conference is able to participate in fall sports.”

Besides football, the sports affected include men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball.

[naviga:h3]NFL releases COVID safety protocols[/naviga:h3]

NFL teams will be prohibited from post-game interactions within 6 feet of each other, so players won’t be allowed to exchange jerseys after games as part of the guidelines to help limit the spread of the coronavirus.

The restrictions are outlined in the game-day protocols finalized by the league and NFL Players Association on Wednesday. Some of the changes for the upcoming season:

— Players and coaches are not required to wear masks, but everyone else on the sideline is.

— Anyone who records a temperature at or above 100.4 degrees on game day will not be permitted to enter the stadium.

— On-field fan seating is prohibited.

— Media is banned from the locker room.