Miami’s Dec. 19 game vs. Ga. Tech canceled
A makeup game between No. 9 Miami and Georgia Tech has been canceled after the Yellow Jackets said they wouldn’t be able to meet the ACC’s COVID-19 guidelines.
Georgia Tech athletic director Todd Stansbury made the announcement less than 24 hours after the Yellow Jackets played what turned out to be their regular-season finale, losing to Pittsburgh 34-20.
He said the school informed Miami and the ACC that it wouldn’t be able to play the Dec. 19 game at Hard Rock Stadium after receiving a report from its chief medical officer, Dr. Angelo Galante.
“It would not be in the best interests of our student-athletes for us to attempt to play a game,” Stansbury said. “As always, the health and safety of our student-athletes is our top priority. We felt that it was only right to let Miami and the ACC know as early as possible, and we appreciate their understanding.”
The Hurricanes are set to host North Carolina on Saturday in another makeup game that will apparently be their regular-season finale.
Utah State players opt out in protest
LOGAN, UTAH » Utah State has canceled its game against Colorado State amid concerns voiced about religious discrimination during the search for a new football coach.
Aggies players issued a statement, saying they were opting out of Saturday’s game because of alleged comments made by University President Noelle Cockett about the religious and cultural background of interim coach Frank Maile.
Cockett’s comments were reportedly made during a video call with athletic director John Hartwell and the Utah State University Leadership Council to discuss Maile’s candidacy for the permanent head coaching job.
Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson resigned to take over Utah State, a source told The Associated Press on Thursday.
“We want our message to be clear that this has nothing to do with the hiring of Coach Blake Anderson, the recently-named head coach of the program,” the players said in their statement. “We are sure he is an excellent coach; we look forward to meeting him and his staff. We are highlighting the ongoing problems of inequality and want to create a better future for the community of Logan and Utah State University.”
Pittsburgh players opt out of bowl game
PITTSBURGH » Six months working inside the confines that came with playing in the middle of a pandemic was enough for the Pittsburgh Panthers.
Pitt removed itself from bowl consideration a day after finishing the regular season 6-5 following a 34-20 victory over Georgia Tech. The school became the second member of the ACC to opt out of the postseason, joining Boston College.
The Panthers voted to decline a bowl invitation if offered, a move that drew the full support of head coach Pat Narduzzi and athletic director Heather Lyke. Pitt players arrived on campus in early June and spent months getting tested three times a week.