After marathon of an offseason, Oklahoma and Missouri State cross the finish line

Oklahoma and Missouri State worked hand in hand all offseason. This was a marathon of epic proportions, but the finish line was crossed.

Kyle Moats was working at Kentucky whenever the Wildcats needed a new scoreboard in the mid-1990s.

They looked around, noticing Missouri had just put a new one up. It was different. Not traditional at all, and the athletic director, Joe Castiglione, was there to help with any questions and influenced the decision of which direction Kentucky was heading for its new scoreboard.

Now Moats is at Missouri State as the Bears’ athletic director. Castiglione is at Oklahoma. Moats has called and checked in with the Sooners ever since he got the gig at Missouri State in 2009 for an opening to play a game.

And after a rollercoaster ride of the last six months, the two will meet again Saturday night at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

“I don’t think there was any concern, at least I didn’t feel it or sense it in the phone call that we were not going to have it,” Moats told SoonersWire during a phone interview this week about the first conversation between he and Castiglione this offseason. “I think we were very realistic in terms of we don’t know for sure that the virus will dictate what happens. But in light of that, the conversation was more about, ‘Hey, look, we Missouri State, we’ll do whatever we need to do to, to meet your criteria.’ And at the time, I don’t think Joe (Castiglione) knew exactly what all that criteria was.

“But certainly we had an easy agreement that we knew things were going to be different and change throughout the course of the summer and that we would have to adapt whatever that may be. So that was a lot of maybe more 10,000-foot type things, but we indicated all along that that we would do whatever Oklahoma needed us to do. We both wanted to play the game. There was never a question about not playing the game as long as the virus allows us to play the game.”

The two had talked at least four or five times over the course of the last six months. Each conversation was long and about where the status of the game was at and what needed to be done.

Moats and Castiglione agreed that if things weren’t going well, were not going right for the student-athlete or that the proper COVID-19 testing couldn’t take place, that the game wouldn’t be played and that decision would have happened a long time ago. But it never got to that point, nor was Oklahoma ever looking for a new opponent.

When rumor that the Sooners were looking for a new opponent, Castiglione called Moats immediately.

“Contractually, it was never an issue,” Moats said. “You know, it was never that Oklahoma was trying to figure out they were going to go play somebody else. Joe (Castiglione) made that clear early on that that was never his intent. That we were going to play the game. That was how we both believed in that.

“And I never thought that he brought that up. I never brought that up. I think the media or maybe somebody, you know, question was asked to him about that and and I think he felt compelled that he had to tell me about it. I never worried about it one bit, never ever entered my mind on the money part in the contract part. I know Joe and that would have never been the case.”

Moats and Castiglione then got to work together on a waiver request to the NCAA to move the game from Sept. 5 to Aug. 29. That started a chain reaction that allowed every athletic director to apply for the same waiver.

The two have worked in stride with each other every step of the way.

“In the case of the working relationship that we have, it’s really been  everything one could hope for in the sense that we both understood our primary focus of safety, health, welfare of all of the people we serve,” Castiglione told SoonersWire during a phone interview on Wednesday.

The last six months haven’t been easy for either. Moats and Castiglione haven’t been able to meet with their staff in a natural setting. Everything has taken place over conference calls, phone calls or zoom calls. Neither, though, will take a compliment for themselves, but will each other and their staffs.

There’s a reason why Castiglione told SoonersWire he wasn’t getting any sleep this week during a phone interview on Wednesday. The game truly came down to the wire as late as Friday morning.

But that’s now over and when the ball is kicked Saturday night, Oklahoma’s athletic director will feel a weight lifted off his shoulder.

The finish line was crossed.

Football is being played, and Castiglione, as well as Moats, will be able to get some sleep Saturday night.

“I probably won’t feel (like we made it) specifically until we’re actually on the field kicking the ball go in the air,” Castiglione said. “I said we’re all where we are. And I think we got to accept and understand and appreciate the fact that when we do kick off on Saturday evening, that it has been a list of epic proportions to get to this point.”

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OU-Texas looking at a 25 percent capacity for Cotton Bowl, per report

The Austin American-Statesman’s Brian Davis reports that the 25 percent will carry over to OU-Texas, giving each school a 12.5% allotment.

Last week, OU finally broke the silence and announced via press release that they are projecting 25 percent capacity for home football games next season.

The Austin American-Statesman’s Brian Davis reports that the 25 percent rule will carry over to OU-Texas, giving each school a 12.5 percent allotment.

Based on the Cotton Bowl’s capacity of 92,100, each school can expect to receive around 11,500 tickets in 2020.

The crowd won’t be the only thing taking a less pronounced role at the 2020 edition of the Red River Showdown.

On July 7, the State Fair of Texas was canceled for the first time since World War II. Even in the fair’s absence, OU and Texas remain locked into the Cotton Bowl based on their contracts.

On Aug. 12, CBS Austin’s Bob Ballou reported that Fletcher’s Original Corny Dogs still plans to open a stand outside the game.

The same day, Davis reported that the fair is looking into a mini-Midway for fans in attendance. The game is currently slated for Oct. 10.

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Oklahoma’s game against Missouri State not certain to be PPV

Oklahoma’s game against Missouri State is not certain to be PPV this year

Oklahoma fans could catch a lucky break this year in the form of one less Pay-per-view game.

Oklahoma announced they project an approximate 25 percent capacity for an upcoming season, meaning more fans that usual will have to watch the game from home.

The Sooners’ games versus FCS opponents are normally on Pay-per-view. their overtime matchup with Army two seasons ago was on the service, as well as their bout with South Dakota last season.

Oklahoma’s matchup with Missouri State would be a sure-fire PPV game, but with the Big Ten and Pac-12 cancelling their fall slate and opting to push it to spring, networks like FOX will now have less games to show.

Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione couldn’t give a clear answer, but did say they were exploring options when asked if it was Pay-per-view.

“That’s still being discussed with the adjustment of our season.”

Oklahoma is set to play the Bears on September 12. The time has yet to be announced.

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Oklahoma will require masks to be worn at home games

Oklahoma will require masks to be worn at home games

With all the uncertainty surrounding the college football season, one thing is certain: to get into an Oklahoma football game this fall, you’ll have to wear a mask.

Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione said on Friday that mask will be a requirement this season.

“I respect they may not want to go to a game and wear a mask.” he said. “But if you’re gonna come to a game at Oklahoma, it’s going to be a requirement. We ask you to accept it. If you don’t accept it, then you probably should make the decision not to come to the game.”

Oklahoma announced they project an approximate 25 percent capacity for an upcoming season in a press release.

Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium seats just over 80,000 fans. That would put Oklahoma’s seating capacity this year at 25 percent.

Castiglione said the precaution isn’t just for the fans, it’s for everyone.

“We’re asking our student-athletes to wear a mask everywhere… To come into the stadium and to stay in the stadium, you have to be wearing a mask to live the entire experience. That’s just the way it’s going to be. I understand that might not be what people want to do.”

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Oklahoma football says it is projecting a 25 percent capacity for home games

Oklahoma football has finally spoken in regard to fan capacity at home games. The Sooners aren’t 100 percent sure yet, but have a projection

Oklahoma football has finally spoken in regard to fan capacity at home games.

The Sooners have talked about projecting models up to 50 percent capacity, but have not said anything in regards to any specific amount. After the Big 12’s decision with a fall season, Oklahoma has made its mind up as of Aug. 12.

Oklahoma announced they project an approximate 25 percent capacity for an upcoming season in a press release.

“This is the next step in our preparation efforts,” said Oklahoma vice president and director of athletics Joe Castiglione, “but it is by no means the only step. We have been and will continue working on protocols that will be in place for our student-athletes, staff and patrons. The capacity reduction will allow us to create distancing in the seating bowl. Other policies in the stadium will be introduced as we alter our operations as a result of the COVID-19 virus.”

Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium seats just over 80,000 fans. That would put Oklahoma’s seating capacity this year at 25 percent. In the release, the Sooners said emails would be sent out in the coming days “to ascertain their ticket needs for the upcoming season” for the five-game home slate.

More information is expected be released in regards to the season in the coming days and Oklahoma has enhanced procedures for fans at home games. An app has been developed to digitalize the home game experience in 2020 that will include ticketing, parking, a game program and more.

The Big 12 announced its conference schedule with conference games beginning on Sept. 26. Oklahoma will begin the 2020 season at home against Missouri State on Sept. 12.

The policies for OU-Texas on Oct. 10 will also be announced at a later date.

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Oklahoma athletic director releases statement on 2020 football season

Fans are getting anxious and players are figuring out the logistics of a 2020 season. Joe Castiglione released a statement on Tuesday.

“We appreciate the donors, ticket holders, partners and fans who have been so patient and supportive through these unprecedented times,” Castiglione said. “Our staff has prepared for a number of different scenarios and we will be ready when the season begins. Our new schedule is being finalized along with all of the details that will be associated with stadium access and operation. We expect to have that information completed soon and will communicate it as quickly as possible. In the meantime, we remain very enthusiastic as we look forward to another great season of Sooner football.”

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Oklahoma sells over $1 million worth of alcohol at 2019 home football games

OU’s first season of alcohol sales at home football games netted them upwards of $1 million

OU’s first season of alcohol sales at home football games netted them upwards of $1 million, according to a records request submitted by the OU Daily.

OU racked up $1,587,707.40 in gross sales, and $1,298,738.16 after taxes.

The OU Board of Regents approved the sale of alcohol at football games in May 2019. More than a year later, the decision appears to have been a fruitful one.

That being said, this decision was not one that revolved around finances.

“This idea wasn’t driven by some type of revenue windfall that we might make if we opened it up,” said OU athletics director Joe Castiglione after the Regents meeting in May.

“That’s not what the emphasis is behind this. It was really hearing from fans — quite a few fans — that wanted the opportunity just like they did at a lot of other venues — football, basketball, baseball, whatever it is — throughout the state of Oklahoma as well as places they travel.”

OU’s decision is part of a movement that has been sweeping across college football for the past few seasons.

Among the Big 12, OU is the most recent school to allow alcohol sales, joining Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Texas and West Virginia.

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Joe Castiglione on Big 12 football: ‘We’re going to make our decision here soon’

The Big 12 is the last man standing. The hand of the conference has been pushed, and they are planning to make a decision soon. 

The Big 12 is the last man standing.

The SEC and ACC have announced their schedule models for the 2020 football season in recent days. The Big 10 and Pac-12 have announced a conference-only schedule, but have yet to announce the final plans for it.

Then that leaves Oklahoma, Texas and the rest of the Big 12 conference left to make their decision. Leaders have been hoping for a 12-game schedule, but that hope is dwindling away day-by-day, hour-by-hour and minute-by-minute.

Oklahoma lost its first game of the 2020 season on Wednesday when the Tennessee game was officially canceled after the SEC made its decision.

The hand of the Big 12 has been pushed, and they are planning to make a decision soon.

“You’re seeing all the various models that have been discussed behind the scenes start to evolve,” said Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione to voice of Oklahoma football Toby Rowland on Friday morning. “You’re also understanding the difficulty of the decisions when you consider people are in different parts of the country and have different challenges, see it different ways, have different perspectives. So no, not really surprised by any of it. We had hoped we had all be making an announcement about the same time, even if what we announced was different from each other. Never expected it to be identical. We’re going to make our announcement here soon. We have a meeting scheduled Monday afternoon. So we’ll see where it goes from here.”

As it stands today, the Oklahoma season is still scheduled to begin on Aug. 29 against Missouri State at home. The Sooners began fall camp in preparation for the 2020 season on Friday.

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OU-Texas to remain at Cotton Bowl for now, per Joe Castiglione

Joe Castiglione made a brief but key revelation for Sooner fans: OU-Texas has no plans to move away from the Cotton Bowl this season. 

Oklahoma’s Athletic Director Joe Castiglione joined the Franchise on Friday morning to discuss college football in 2020.

During his appearance, he made a brief but key revelation for Sooner fans this season: OU-Texas has no plans to move away from the Cotton Bowl this season.

“We’re still playing in the Cotton Bowl,” he said. “We have a contract to play in the Cotton Bowl.”

Castiglione confirmed that there is an ongoing conversation revolving around the game, but that discussion has yet to venture into the possibility of moving the game to a new location.

“In the conversations we’ve had with the University of Texas, our plan is to play in the Cottom Bowl,” he said. “We’re just sitting here hoping we can play the game.”

The Big 12’s signature rivalry game has remained in limbo since the State Fair of Texas was canceled in early July.

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Oklahoma AD says there is still ‘time on the clock’ for decision on season

Castiglione joined to discuss the current climate surrounding college football, specifically the prospects of the upcoming season. 

We’re certainly much closer to making these kinds of decisions. But we are still trying to use any and all available time on the clock,” said Joe Castiglione, Oklahoma’s Athletic Director during an appearance on The Franchise on Friday morning.

Castiglione joined the show to discuss the current climate surrounding college football, specifically the prospects of the upcoming season.

As Castiglione alluded, the beginning fo the 2020 season is rapidly approaching, yet the AD remained steadfast that there is still time on the clock.

We’re not the kind of group that gets up early in the fourth quarter when things don’t look very well to try and beat the traffic. That’s not the way we’ve been approaching our decision-making.” 

In the past few weeks, both the Big Ten and Pac-12 have switched to a conference-only schedule for the 2020 season, which has shifted the tectonic plates of college football so to speak.

Here is a look at what a conference-only schedule for OU may look like.

As programs across the country scramble in an attempt to make this season happen, it appears that Castiglione and all of OU’s athletic programs have remained pleasantly calm.

There’s still so much more for us to learn. We want to be able to use all the time on the clock and make sure we really process every piece of information before we make those final decisions.”

OU announced another round of COVID-19 testing results on Monday, submitting only one positive result out of 100 tests.

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