College Football Season Begins In Norman This Weekend

As people from all over the state made their way to Norman for the first football game of 2020, fans have mixed emotions.

“The crowds are not here and it's different. It's going to be really different,” football fan Pam Evans said. “We can say we were here during COVID(-19).”

“I feel like they're taking enough precautions that I feel like it's safe to be out here with everybody and for the most part everyone’s wearing their mask,” football fan Kimberlee Traylor said.

Others worry about the amount of people who will head to bars and restaurants after the game.

“I wouldn't come down here because I think it would be uncomfortable,” football fan Shevaun Williams said.

A typical gameday in Norman draws over 100,000 people to campus. In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, University of Oklahoma officials announced tailgating was prohibited on campus grounds.

“We have had no normalcy this year, so this makes a huge difference,” Traylor said. “It's one thing we can look forward to that we do every single year.”

The City of Norman voted this week to limit bar and restaurant capacity to 75 percent while social distancing during gamedays until 2 a.m. the following day. 

Campus Corner, a popular off-campus area, is requiring guests to wear a mask. Restaurants and bars will be set up for outdoor dining.

 “We're really not worried about it,” Evans said. “I know how to be safe: You wear your mask and stay out of the crowded people.”