NORMAN — University of Oklahoma head football coach Lincoln Riley announced Saturday evening that he is pausing preseason training camp for a week due to a change in OU's 2020 game schedule.

Riley, whose team began training camp July 31 and held its fifth practice today, said his players will be able to go home tomorrow for several days.

The Sooners were scheduled to open their season Aug. 29 against Missouri State, but Riley said the opener would now be sometime in September.

"With that first game pushed back a week or two, it only makes sense to spread out our practices and give our guys some time away."
- Lincoln Riley

"We decided it's best to give our players some time off," said Riley. "We were able to start camp before the vast majority of teams because our Aug. 29 season-opening game date was the earliest in the country. With that first game pushed back a week or two, it only makes sense to spread out our practices and give our guys some time away. They've done a great job so far."

Added Riley, "We're also mindful of all the conversations across the country with regard to the 2020 season. The added benefit of temporarily breaking from training camp is that it gives us a few more days to monitor those talks."

OU players are scheduled to return to campus and undergo COVID-19 testing protocol on Friday, Aug. 14 before resuming preseason practice.

The Sooners underwent two rounds of COVID-19 testing this past week. The 205 combined player tests produced one positive result. That player is under quarantine.