Virus Cases Cause Postponement of TCU Football's September 11 Game Against SMU

 

The SMU Mustangs will retain possession of the Iron Skillet for at least a while longer.

Virus cases have caused TCU to postpone indefinitely its September 11, 2020, game against SMU, which was to have been played in Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. 

The TCU-SMU game was to be the first game played involving a Big 12 Conference team. The postponement of the game received national attention.

After the postponement was announced, the Big 12 announced these roster minimums for conference games to be played this season:

• A school must have a minimum of 53 players available for the game to be played.
• In addition, of the 53 minimum players, the Big 12 has established minimum thresholds for offensive linemen (seven), interior defensive linemen (four) and quarterback (one). Teams falling below any of these player benchmarks, based on game-week COVID test results, could still elect to play as scheduled, if so desired. Otherwise, upon approval by the Commissioner, the game would be declared a no-contest if it cannot be moved to a later date.

Here is the TCU-SMU game postponement announcement from TCU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Jeremiah Donati:

"We are disappointed to announce that our upcoming football game against SMU will not be played as scheduled on September 11. We have agreed with SMU to monitor dates throughout the season to potentially make up the game.
 
"In the course of following CDC guidelines and our aggressive testing and contact tracing strategy, we discovered that some student-athletes and support staff in our football program have tested positive for COVID-19. Those individuals were notified immediately and are currently abiding by CDC protocols. 
 
"No one is currently facing serious health issues, and we intend to continue our enforcement of strict standards to protect the program and our community. Everyone’s health and safety remains our top priority. We share in your disappointment, but firmly believe we will be ready to resume football activities soon. We will continue to follow prevention and testing protocols and look forward to our Big 12 Conference opener against Iowa State on September 26."

Thus, unless COVID-19 causes another interruption, TCU's season-opening game will be on Saturday, September 26, against Iowa State, in Amon G. Carter Stadium (game time and broadcast details to be announced). It also will be the Frogs' Big 12 Conference opener.