Pitt-Georgia Tech game postponed because of covid protocols

After playing most of this season uninterrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, Pitt postponed its game Saturday at Georgia Tech because of covid-related issues on both teams. Football injuries at Georgia Tech also were cited by its athletic director, Todd Stansbury.

The ACC said in a statement the game was postponed after positive tests, subsequent quarantining and contact tracing. It is the sixth ACC game postponed this season. All have been rescheduled.

Stansbury said a combination of factors on his team led to the postponement.

“It’s unfortunate that we will not be able to play this Saturday as scheduled, but the decision was made in the best interests of the health and safety of both teams,” Stansbury said in a statement. “For our team in particular, a combination of on-field injuries, covid-19 contact tracing and a relatively low number of positive covid-19 tests left us unable to field the requisite number of student-athletes needed to compete, particularly at certain positions.”

There was a total of 10 Pitt players absent from the season’s first two games because of covid protocols. Then Pitt played five in a row without any absences before reporting one last Saturday at the Florida State game.

The Georgia Tech game has been rescheduled for Dec. 12, two weeks after Pitt’s previously scheduled regular-season finale Nov. 28 at No. 4 Clemson. Pitt’s next scheduled game is Nov. 21 against Virginia Tech in the home finale at Heinz Field.

Meanwhile, Pitt has paused all football team activities. That action follows similar outbreaks in recent weeks on the Pitt men’s soccer and swimming and diving teams. The soccer team canceled its final two regular-season matches.

Pitt-Georgia Tech is one of six postponements or cancellations of Power 5 games that were scheduled to be played Saturday. The Big Ten canceled Maryland-Ohio State, and the SEC postponed Alabama-LSU, Auburn-Mississippi State, Texas A&M-Tennessee and Georgia-Missouri. In addition, Memphis-Navy, Rice-Louisiana Tech and UL Monroe-Arkansas State have been postponedand. Air Force-Wyoming is canceled.

Calling this “a week unlike any other,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey told ESPN he was “shaken … but not deterred.” He vowed to finish the regular season and hold a conference championship game.

Pitt officials said they acted out of an abundance of caution.

“While I know our team was excited and prepared to play a game on Saturday, this is the right and responsible decision for our student-athletes and staff,” coach Pat Narduzzi said in a statement. “We have great doctors at Pitt, and they have given us the very best guidance throughout this entire pandemic.

“Our team knows we’ve had to be agile this year. We will continue to assemble virtually until we’re given the green light.”

Athletic director Heather Lyke added: “We are fortunate to have an outstanding group of doctors and medical professionals providing us daily consultation in this challenging environment. Following their recommendation, our football program will pause all activities.

“Our protocols have prepared us to anticipate and manage these circumstances. Our top priority will always be the health and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and staff.”

Pitt most recently paused football team activities during training camp in August but only for one day. Some players displayed covid symptoms, but practice resumed the next day when all tests came back negative.

The 2020 ACC scheduling model includes 11 games (10 conference games, plus one outside the conference), played over at least 13 weeks with each team having two open dates.

Get the latest news about Pitt football and all things Panthers athletics.