UCLA to play California on Sunday after Utah game is canceled for COVID

LOS ANGELES — It was a comeback before kickoff, a massive rally staged before the clock could budge.

A UCLA football schedule that appeared to have fallen into disarray was reassembled in speedy fashion on an unprecedented Friday afternoon, a new opponent and a new date secured in a matter of hours.

Bruins athletic director Martin Jarmond foreshadowed the salvation with a twoword tweet, writing "Stay ready ..." followed by a bear emoji and blue and gold hearts.

UCLA revealed only minutes later that it would play its home opener against California on Sunday at 9 a.m. at the Rose Bowl after the Bruins' scheduled game against Utah on Saturday was called off because of another positive COVID-19 test involving the Utes.

"It's an unconventional solution in an unconventional year," Jarmond said in a statement, "and we're excited to host the Bears at the Rose Bowl on Sunday."

The replacement game became necessary after Utah's roster continued to be ravaged by the novel coronavirus, leading to the cancellation of a second consecutive game involving the Utes.

The Pac-12 declared the game between UCLA and Utah a no-contest and said in a statement that the Utes did not have the minimum number of players available as a result of positive tests and the resulting isolation of other players per contact tracing protocols.

Utah athletic director Mark Harlan told ESPN radio in Salt Lake City that the team had 17 positive cases overall and 11 additional players in quarantine, though those absences would seem to leave the Utes above the minimum threshold of 53 scholarship players needed for a game.

"We have been on the edge all week and with a positive test today, we can't move forward," Harlan said in a tweet. "Devastated for our team, our fans and this whole state."

Cal was also in search of a makeup game after having a game called off for a second consecutive week despite only one positive test on its roster. The Golden Bears' opener had been wiped out by strict contact tracing protocols ordered by local health officials and their game Saturday against Arizona State was declared a nocontest because of positives involving the Sun Devils, including coach Herm Edwards.

It's expected that Cal will have several players exit quarantine before kickoff against the Bruins, making the game possible.

The Pac-12 now has canceled four games, matching the number it has played and illuminating the challenges of starting a season as viral case counts soar across the country.

Utes coach Kyle Whittingham said on Monday that the virus had decimated two position groups, adding that scout-teamers were moving up to the first team and walkons were preparing to play. The game against UCLA, originally scheduled for Friday, was pushed back one day to bolster its chances of taking place.

Utah left guard Nick Ford tweeted Friday that Los Angeles County officials were not allowing him to play after being exposed to COVID-19 even though he had received "20-plus negative tests" over eight days. A city of Pasadena spokesperson said the city's protocols would not prevent the game from proceeding but required a 14day quarantine for anyone who had been in close contact of someone who tested positive.

"Disappointment and frustration are both understatements for the way I feel," Ford wrote. "When it's finally my time to step back on the field ... feel bad for whoever I'm going against."