ASU Football: Edwards, others positive with COVID-19; Cal game off

Arizona State Football’s home-opener against Cal on Saturday has been cancelled due to COVID-19 protocols, according to Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated.

Head Coach Herm Edwards is among multiple Sun Devil team personnel to have contracted the virus, according to a statement released by Sun Devil Athletics Friday.

“In the past few days our test results included a number of positive cases, including multiple student-athletes and coaching staff members, one of which is Head Coach Herm Edwards,” Athletic Director Ray Anderson said in the statement. “This put our team below the Pac-12’s minimum threshold of 53 available scholarship student-athletes under the league’s game cancellation policy.

“First, I want to say that Lia, the girls and I are fine and I will be back quicker than you can say ‘Forks Up!” Edwards said in the statement. “Second, even with the marvelous care our medical professionals have provided for myself, my staff and my team over the past few months the virus still found me. So, I encourage all of you to take this virus seriously, to wear a mask, practice physical distancing and get tested whenever possible.”

The game was initially in question due to the Golden Bears previous issues with COVID-19, as their Week 1 game against Washington was cancelled after positive cases arose within the program. Jon Wilner of The Mercury News reported Wednesday that Cal’s contest with ASU this Saturday was hanging in the balance.

However, it was reported on Thursday that it was not just the Cal dealing with COVID-19 related issues, but the Sun Devils as well. ASU’s practice on Thursday was cancelled as a result, and Wilner reported Friday morning that Saturday’s contest was cancelled due to positive cases within the Sun Devil program.

Saturday was slated to be the Sun Devils home-opener after its 28-27 loss to USC in Week 1. The game will be declared a no contest, and ASU will play its remaining four regular season games as scheduled before the Pac-12 Championship Week on Dec. 18 and 19.

Cal has yet to play a game this season, and will move on to their Week 3 opponent against Oregon State.

“I feel for our student-athletes and everyone associated with Sun Devil Athletics, as well as Sun Devil Nation,” Anderson’s statement said. “This also has an impact on the University of California football program and we extend our appreciation for their understanding of the situation.”