While many people spend the week cheering the return of college football across the nation, each Saturday seems to bring with it a fresh reminder that we are not out of the woods when it comes to COVID-19 by any means.
We were all reminded of that right off the bat as the game between Syracuse and Georgia Tech, set to kick off around noon on Saturday, was delayed following the announcement that three members of the Syracuse football team needed to be re-tested to confirm negative COVID-19 results.
Out of an abundance of caution Syracuse University is temporarily delaying kick off to confirm negative COVID-19 test results.
— Syracuse Athletics (@Cuse) September 26, 2020
According to SU radio commentator Matt Park, the issue involves three members of the football program, though it was unclear if it was players, coaches, or some combination. However, Syracuse.com’s Brent Axe and Chris Carlson both reported that it was three players.
Three Syracuse players are being retested to confirm negative COVID-19 results.
— Brent Axe (@BrentAxeMedia) September 26, 2020
The players being retested for coronavirus are from the Syracuse side. Kickoff for Syracuse-Georgia Tech remains delayed.
— chris carlson (@ccarlsononSU) September 26, 2020
Details are sparse in terms of what the initial COVID-19 tests said, why they felt there was a need to re-test, and why this happened at the last minute just before both teams were about to run out of the tunnel. It’s also unclear what happens if the retest comes back inconclusive. UPDATE: All tests came back negative.
Three inconclusive tests for Syracuse players came back NEGATIVE after re-testing. Syracuse-Georgia Tech will kickoff shortly.
— Brent Axe (@BrentAxeMedia) September 26, 2020
The game is the first inside the renovated Carrier Dome, though no fans are present in the stadium. The game was rescheduled for 12:30 but both teams returned to the field at that time, which means it’s more likely looking at a 1:00 start, if it does restart.
[Syracuse]
