Lincoln, Neb.–Not so long ago Nebraska fans were breathing a sigh of relief as their team took the field against Ohio State. Despite the Big Red’s 52-17 loss against the Big Ten powerhouse, Husker fans were still excited to see the Huskers give their all. Many fans noticed major signs of improvement on that breezy October afternoon. Almost a week from that feeling of promise, Husker fans’ hopes have been shot down once again.

As the Cornhuskers put their loss to Ohio State in the past, they began to prepare for a game against the reigning Big Ten West champions, the University of Wisconsin. The Badgers were coming off a huge 45-7 victory against Illinois when news that their star quarterback, Graham Mertz, tested positive for coronavirus broke. Mertz, the redshirt freshman, shocked the nation the week before, going 20-21 passing with 248 yards and five touchdowns.

By Wednesday, October 28, 11 more Wisconsin players and staff tested positive. Wisconsin opted out of their upcoming game against the Cornhuskers, though it wasn’t necessary. With the Wisconsin game out the window, Scott Frost and his troops began searching for any team that would be willing to make the trip to Lincoln on Halloween.

The Huskers thought they had found their match in The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, but their hopes were cut short by the Big Ten and its commissioner, Kevin Warren. The game would have been held on Halloween, and Chattanooga would have received a hefty sum of $250,000 and travel expenses for the contest. Chattanooga had even reported zero positive tests by all coaches and players before the decision to deny Nebraska’s request to play was made by the Big 10.