Game against Bulldogs canceled
COVID-19 issues with Fresno State bummer for SJSU
San Jose State won’t be able to add to its best start in 65 years this weekend, as the Spartans’ rivalry game with Fresno State was canceled Thursday night.
The Mountain West Conference cited contact tracing among Fresno State’s team in its announcement that Saturday’s game in Fresno was declared a no contest.
“Due to COVID-19 contact tracing within the Fresno State football program, the Bulldogs are unable to participate in the scheduled game on Nov. 21 vs. San Jose State,” the conference tweeted Thursday evening. “Therefore, the MW is canceling the game and declaring it a no contest. There is no plan to reschedule the game.”
The conference did not provide any specifics about how many Fresno State players had tested positive, or how many are involved in the contact tracing.
Fresno State addressed the situation later.
“Though we have dutifully followed all proper protocols, and have received continual guidance from the Fresno County Department of Public Health, we unfortunately have confirmed a positive case of COVID-19 within our football program,” Fresno State athletic director Terry Tumey said in a statement. “In coordination with the Fresno County Department of Public Health and extensive contract tracing efforts, we have identified additional student-athletes who, per public health protocols, are required to be quarantined as a precaution.”
A San Jose State athletics spokesperson said the Spartans found out early Thursday evening that the game would be called off.
Naturally, the news was disappointing for an SJSU team aiming for its first 5- 0 start since 1939.
“We were looking forward to playing Fresno State this weekend,” San Jose State coach Brent Brennan said in a statement. “We had a great week of practice preparing for this game and playing for the Valley Trophy.
“While there is disappointment about not playing a game this weekend, this is another reminder how important it is to follow all the health and safety guidelines to beat COVID-19 — starting with wearing
a face mask, washing your hands frequently and practicing safe social distancing.”
The cancellation is the fifth in the Mountain West this season and the third this weekend because of COVID-19 issues.
New Mexico vs. Colorado State was called off in Week 1, and Wyoming vs. Air Force couldn’t be played last week.
This week, the UNLV vs. Colorado State and Wyoming vs. Utah State games were canceled before the news Thursday evening about the San Jose State-Fresno State game.
The Mountain West’s testing plan includes three rapid antigen tests per week. If a player tests positive, he is given a PCR test, which is more accurate, to confirm the result.
The conference’s roster thresholds instituted for this season note that a team could call off a game if it does not reach any of the following roster figures: 53 total players, seven offensive linemen, four interior defensive linemen and a single quarterback. The conference did not outline contact tracing procedures.
The Spartans are 4- 0, tied atop the Mountain West standings with Nevada after beating UNLV last weekend.
Because the COVID-19 issue is with Fresno State, San Jose State is still expected to travel to Boise State (3-1, 3- 0 Mountain West) next week for what should be the toughest game of the SJSU season to this point.
It’s not clear yet if Fresno State will play next Friday against San Diego State.
The SJSU- Fresno State matchup would have been a reunion between two of the conference’s top players — Spartans linebacker Kyle Harmon and Fresno State running back Ronnie Rivers, who were as close as brothers on a Freedom High- Oakley team that was the runnerup to De La Salle in the section playoffs four years ago.
Both were excited about playing against one another.
“It’s going to be fun,” Rivers said in a text message this week provided by Fresno State. “He’s like another brother to me.”
“I’ve been looking forward to it,” added Harmon. “I’m ready to play him.”
Their reunion will have to wait.