Maryland football’s game against Michigan State on Saturday has been canceled following more coronavirus cases emerging throughout the program, including 15 players and seven staffers testing positive within the last seven days.
Head coach Mike Locksley is one of the staffers who has tested positive. According to the school, he tested positive Wednesday and is isolating at home. This latest batch of positive tests are in addition to the eight football players who tested positive the week prior, announced Nov. 11. That crop of positive cases canceled last weekend’s game against Ohio State.
Neither of the matchups will be rescheduled.
Maryland moved into a hotel on Nov. 11 and remained there until Sunday. The athletic department has administered daily antigen tests to all football players and staff according to Big Ten protocols, but it has also conducted daily PCR testing since Nov. 12.
The team has not practiced since Nov. 10.
“I am gutted for our team and for our fans,” Locksley said in a release. “This team is eager to play and compete and continue the growth we’ve seen this season. This virus is testing our players and coaches right now, but I have no doubt that we will emerge as a stronger unit for having gone through this together. As for me personally, I am feeling strong, with only minor symptoms. I will continue to lead this program virtually and our game preparations for Indiana will begin immediately.”
As coronavirus cases spike across the country, college football programs are also seeing a rise in cases. That’s led to an increased number of canceled or postponed games. Last weekend, 15 games were moved or canceled.
• Andy Kostka can be reached at akostka@washingtontimes.com.
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