COLLEGE STATION (Talk1370.com) -- Saturday's Texas A&M-Ole Miss football game has been postponed for a second time, and likely canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, officials announced Monday.
The Southeastern Conference made the announcement Monday evening, due to a combination of positive tests, contact tracing and subsequent quarantining of individuals within the Ole Miss football program and following the SEC's COVID-19 management requirements.
It's the second time the game has been postponed, from its originally scheduled date of November 21. That game was postponed due to contact tracing within the Aggies' program.
"While we are extremely disappointed to miss the opportunity to play our last home game of the 2020 season and honor our senior class, we understood that any scenario throughout this public health crisis was a possibility," Texas A&M Athletic Director Ross Bjork said in a statement. "After completing eight games, our players, coaches, staff, and administration should be commended for setting the stage for a successful season and playing this great game as safely as possible. We cannot wait to get back on the field against Tennessee on December 19, and finish this season as strong as possible and continue to build our program under Coach Fisher's leadership."
According to league officials, the opportunity to reschedule the game will be contingent on any cancellation of games currently scheduled for December 19 due to COVID-19, otherwise the game will not be played and would be declared a no-contest.
"We've stressed throughout 2020, and it's a great lesson about life, control what you can control. It's unfortunate we are unable to play Ole Miss this week," Texas A&M Football Coach Jimbo Fisher said in a statement. "I feel for our seniors who were looking forward to being recognized and playing at Kyle Field. We will go back to work controlling what we can, and that is preparing to play Tennessee next week."
