San Jose State football passing COVID-19 tests in Humboldt County
San Jose State’s football team has not had a positive test for COVID-19 while practicing at Humboldt State University for the past 10 days, school officials said.
The Spartans’ contingent of 141 players, coaches and staff were scheduled to get tested Monday, its third test since arriving in Arcata on Oct. 2, a San Jose State athletics department spokesman said.
The team’s previous tests in Humboldt took place last Monday and Wednesday, the spokesman added. San Jose State is using a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test to track the health of the Spartans. The PCR method is considered a reliable test that the California Department of Public Health requires in its return-toplay guidelines for collegiate athletics.
The rapid antigen test used by the Pac-12 Conference produces quicker results but also has falsenegative results about 50 percent of the time, according to medical literature. State guidelines say antigen tests, which detect the presence of viral proteins, are not a replacement for PCR.
The Spartans relocated 320 miles to Arcata because they do not have the approval to conduct contact drills in Santa Clara County.
The situation could change this week. Santa Clara County is expected to move into the “orange” grouping of California’s four-tier system that determines the risk level and what activities are permitted. The move from the more strict “red” level could happen as soon as today.
— Elliott Almond
KANSAS STATE QB SKYLAR THOMPSON TO MISS REST OF SEASON >>
Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on his throwing shoulder, leaving freshman Will Howard to lead the No. 22 Wildcats the rest of the way. Thompson was hurt two weeks ago when Texas Tech’s Rico Jeffers drove him into the ground after unloading a pass in the Wildcats’ 31-21 victory. The Red Raiders were penalized 15 yards and Jeffers was ejected for the late hit.
VANDERBILT AT MIZZOU IS 1ST SEC GAME POSTPONED BY COVID-19 >>
Vanderbilt’s football game at Missouri on Saturday has been postponed because COVID-19 issues have left the Commodores without enough players.
The Southeastern Conference announced the game has been tentatively rescheduled for Dec. 12. It is the first SEC game rescheduled due to COVID-19-related problems and the 28th FBS game overall to be postponed or canceled since Aug. 26. SYRACUSE DEFENSIVE STANDOUT CISCO OUT FOR SEASON >> Syracuse preseason All-American defensive standout Andre Cisco will miss the rest of the season, coach Dino Babers said. Cisco was injured in a freak collision with a teammate in pregame warmups for the Georgia Tech game in the Carrier Dome just over two weeks ago and hadn’t played since.
Cisco, a junior safety from Long Island, entered the season with 12 interceptions, tops among returning players in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
NHL
VEGAS TO SIGN PIETRANGELO TO $61.6M DEAL >> The Vegas Golden Knights agreed to terms on a $61.6 million, seven-year deal with top free agent Alex Pietrangelo, according to a person with direct knowledge of the contract. Pietrangelo will count $8.8 million against the salary cap through 2027. He gives Vegas another big-money player, but the team will also need to shed salary to fit him under the $81.5 million salary cap.
The 30-year- old defenseman leaves the St. Louis Blues after serving as captain of their 2019 Stanley Cup championship team. Pietrangelo has 109 goals and 341 assists for 450 points in 758 regular-season NHL games. TOFFOLI SIGNS WITH CANADIENS >> The Montreal Canadiens signed free-agent forward Tyler Toffoli to a four-year, $17 million contract, the team announced. Toffoli, 28, played 68 games with the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings in 2019-20. He tallied 44 points (24 goals, 20 assists) in the regular season and added two goals and two assists in seven playoff games for the Canucks. GRAVES TO STAY IN COLORADO >> The Colorado Avalanche resigned defenseman Ryan Graves to a three-year contract through the 2022-23 season. Graves led the league with a +40 plus/minus rating — the highest ever by a defenseman in franchise history. He tallied 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) in 69 games and added 150 blocked shots.
In 95 career games, he has recorded 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists).
RANGERS SIGN NO. 1 OVERALL PICK LAFRENIERE >> No. 1 overall pick Alexis Lafreniere signed his entry-level contract with the New York Rangers. Lafreniere, who turned 19 on Sunday, agreed to a maximum-level three-year deal that will pay him $925,000 annually before performance bonuses.
Soccer
EARTHQUAKES’ WIN STREAK ENDS IN SHUTOUT >> Jaroslaw Niezgoda scored two goals, and the Portland Timbers ended the San Jose Earthquakes’ three- game win streak with a 3- 0 victory late Sunday night.
The loss broke a good run of form for the Quakes, who were coming off a 3- 0 victory at home Wednesday over Vancouver. The winning streak lifted San Jose (57-5) into the playoff picture, where they remain even after Sunday night’s loss. The Earthquakes have not defeated the Timbers at Providence Park in 13 regular-season meetings.