BOULDER, Colo. — Saturday evening's football game between the University of Colorado Boulder and Arizona State University has been canceled due to COVID-19.
The cancellation was announced Sunday afternoon by both schools and the Pac-12 Conference.
According to the Pac-12, ASU didn't have the minimum number of scholarship players available to play due to students testing positive for COVID-19 and needing to isolate. That includes students identified through contact tracing.
“The cancellation of this game is very disappointing to our student-athletes and our fans," Pac-12 said in a statement. "While all of us want to see our football student-athletes on the field competing, our number one priority must continue to be the health and safety of all those connected to Pac-12 football programs.”
CU head coach Karl Dorrell said their team has been fortunate — the players have stayed healthy through practice.
“We have known all along that this has been a real possibility and it’s something that is out of our control," Dorrell said. "It’s literally a week-by-week deal and we’ll continue to move forward.”
In a statement, ASU Vice President for Athletics Ray Anderson said this is the second week in a row they've had to cancel a game due to COVID-19 among the team.
"We continue to take every precaution to safeguard the health and welfare of our student-athletes and staff, in accordance with the Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee's procedures," Anderson sad. "Those with positive test results and those in contact tracing protocols are in isolation and receiving the appropriate medical care."
CU Boulder Athletic Director Rick George said he is working with the Pac-12 on a possible replacement for CU Boulder to play.
