Stanford out two more starters for game with OSU
Stanford will be out four starters because of injuries when it plays Oregon State on Saturday, but at least all indications are that the game will go forward.
After previously announcing that starting wide receivers Michael Wilson and Connor Wedington won’t play against the Beavers because of injuries suffered last week against Washington, Stanford coach David Shaw said Thursday that sophomore cornerback Salim TurnerMuhammed and fifth-year outside linebacker Jordan Fox will also be out.
They will be replaced by sophomore cornerback Zahran Manley and sophomore linebacker Stephon Herron, who will both be making their first career starts. Sophomore Elijah Higgins and junior Brycen Tremayne are making their first starts at receiver, and either Bryce Farrell or Casey Filkins, both freshmen, are expected to take over punt return duties in Wilson’s absence.
However, Shaw said that there are no coronavirus concerns that will put the game at Oregon State in doubt. The Huskies had to pause all football-related activities Wednesday morning, four days after its 31-26 loss to the Cardinal, after an increase in positive COVID-19 results.
“Knock on wood, we’re going on our 12th straight week without a legitimate positive,” Shaw said. “(Washington coach Jimmy Lake) feels very comfortable that everybody they put on the field was virus-free at the time and those positives happened sometime after the game, so we don’t have any concerns.”
Stanford (2-2) has been staying at a hotel across from Oregon State’s campus and practicing at their facility this week because of Santa Clara County’s ban on football practices and games.
Oregon State (2-3) had four players miss last Saturday’s loss to Utah because of COVID-19 testing and contact tracing protocols, including star running back Jermar Jefferson. But Jefferson has been cleared to play against the Cardinal, which puts added pressure on Herron and the rest of the linebackers.
Jefferson is averaging 168.8 yards a game this season, and his seven rushing touchdowns are tied with Stanford’s Austin Jones for the most in the conference. — Harold Gutmann, correspondent
CAL GAME MOVED TO EARLIER START >> The kickoff time for the Cal-Washington State game Saturday has been moved to 1 p.m. Fox will televise the game from Martin Stadium in Pullman. The slot became available when the OregonWashington game was canceled because of COVID-19 issues within the Huskies’ program.
Saturday’s Cal game was originally slated to kick off at 7:30 p.m.
WEST VIRGINIA-NO. 11 OKLAHOMA CANCELED; TEXAS PAUSES >> No. 20 Texas shut down its facilities, hours after fellow Big 12 member West Virginia announced a seven-day pause to all teamrelated activities due to a surge in positive tests for COVID-19 and contact tracing, the schools announced.
The Longhorns’ game against Kansas was canceled, and the Mountaineers’ pause forced the cancellation of their game against No. 11 Oklahoma. Both games were scheduled for Saturday.
Texas announced that 22 people — including nine players — have tested positive for COVID-19.
• Also postponed or canceled from Saturday’s schedule: Michigan at No. 4 Ohio State, Purdue at No. 12 Indiana, No. 8 Cincinnati at No. 24 Tulsa, and Ole Miss at No. 5 Texas A&M.
BOSTON COLLEGE PUNTS BOWL GAME, REWARDS TEAM WITH FAMILY TIME >> Boston College opted to pass on bowl game invitations to allow players to spend the holidays with friends and family and begin to recover from the emotional toll of the 2020 season.
The Golden Eagles are the first bowl-eligible team to opt out of a possible postseason game. Boston College posted a 6-5 record in head coach Jeff Hafley’s first season. Following two days off and position group meetings that followed a loss to 4332 Virginia last week, Hafley said it was clear players wanted to go home.
With the support of the administration and coaching staff, Hafley said players voted to decline any bowl game invitation.