West Virginia will play its first game of the season in a nearly empty Milan Puskar Stadium, although families of players and staff, plus operations personnel, will be permitted inside.

The Mountaineers are scheduled to open the season Sept. 12 against nonconference opponent Eastern Kentucky.

WVU’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics made the announcement Thursday after meeting with university, local and state officials in hopes of mitigating the effects of the covid-19 pandemic.

WVU officials said expected capacity at Big 12 home games, starting Oct. 3 against Baylor, will be announced at a later date, depending on local public health conditions at the time.

“We are disappointed that we will not be able to allow fans to attend the Sept. 12 home game, but we are working diligently to open our gates for Big 12 Conference play,” Director of Athletics Shane Lyons said in a statement. “It is our goal to have fans at Milan Puskar Stadium this season, but right now, that is not possible for the EKU game.

“Our primary collective university focus right now is on the start of classes and the safe return of our students to our WVU campuses. I am hopeful that all of us will be aggressive in taking appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of this virus so that all parties can be comfortable allowing a percentage of fans to attend on Oct. 3 and beyond.”

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