Tennessee’s game this Saturday with No. 5 Texas A&M has been postponed due to issues with COVID-19 within the Aggies program, the SEC announced on Tuesday afternoon.
The game will be made up in Knoxville on Dec. 12.
“We appreciate Texas A&M’s communication this week,” Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer said in a press release. “Our football program continued with its traditional game-week preparation as we awaited a decision on the status of Saturday’s game. We received confirmation of the game’s postponement this afternoon, and we will share pertinent updates with ticket holders via email and social media as developments occur.”
A combination of positive tests, contact tracing and subsequent quarantining of individuals within the Texas A&M football program caused the postponement, which fell under the SEC’s COVID-19 management requirements.
“While it is unfortunate to have multiple postponements in the same week, we began the season with the understanding interruptions to the schedule were possible and we have remained focused throughout the season on the health of everyone around our programs,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. “We must remain vigilant, within our programs and in our communities, to prevent the spread of the virus and to manage activities that contribute to these interruptions.”
Tennessee’s game with Texas A&M is the third SEC contest to be postponed this weekend. Alabama at LSU and Auburn at Mississippi State have also been postponed. Auburn’s game with Mississippi State is tentatively rescheduled for Dec. 12, but a date for Alabama and LSU will need to be worked out as LSU is already scheduled to play Florida that day.
The Vols are scheduled to travel to Auburn next Saturday. Kickoff with the Tigers is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
