Tennessee vs. Texas A&M football game postponed due to COVID-19
Two individuals tested positive inside the Texas A&M program leading to the postponement of Saturday’s game between the Vols and Aggies.
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 26, 2019: Tennessee and South Carolina line up in a 2019 match up at Neyland Stadium. (Photo courtesy of Garrett Moser)
Saturday’s football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the No.5 Texas A&M Aggies has been postponed until Dec. 12. The postponement is due to two positive COVID-19 cases in the Texas A&M program.
According to Aggie Head Coach Jimbo Fisher, A&M team practice was canceled Monday when they received word of the positive tests. The SEC and Commissioner Greg Sankey announced Tuesday that Saturday’s game is postponed and moved to Dec. 12 making it the last game of the regular season for both teams.
“We appreciate Texas A&M’s communication this week,” Tennessee Athletic Director Phillip Fulmer said. “Our football program continued with its traditional game-week preparation as we awaited a decision on the status of Saturday’s game. We received confirmation of the game’s postponement this afternoon, and we will share pertinent updates with ticket holders via email and social media as developments occur.”
The game between No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide and the LSU Tigers was also postponed on Tuesday due to an outbreak of COVID- 19 cases on the LSU team. This following the announcement Monday of the No. 24 Auburn Tigers and Mississippi Bulldogs game’s postponement due to an outbreak of cases on the Bulldog team.
“While it is unfortunate to have multiple postponements in the same week, we began the season with the understanding interruptions to the schedule were possible and we have remained focused throughout the season on the health of everyone around our programs,” Sankey said. “We must remain vigilant, within our programs and in our communities, to prevent the spread of the virus and to manage activities that contribute to these interruptions.”
Tennessee’s next game will be on the road against the Auburn Tigers on Nov. 21. The University has provided these answers to frequently asked questions about the postponement of the Texas A&M game.
Edited by Gracie-Lee Strange and Christian Knox
Feature image courtesy of Garrett Moser
Ryan Sylvia is the Sports Editor at TNJN. He is a senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville majoring in journalism and electronic media. Although he spent most of his life being raised outside of Philadelphia, he was born in Knoxville, and he is happy to be back home. Ryan has had a love for sports from an early age, and he found his love for writing in high school while taking journalism classes. He hopes to find a job involving both his passions as a sports journalist after graduation. To reach Ryan, email him at rsylvia@vols.utk.edu
