The Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs at Charlotte 49ers football game has been canceled due to COVID-19, both schools announced on Friday.
The two schools were scheduled to meet at Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday, Nov. 14. The game was postponed due to “…positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing within a specific position group in the Runnin’ Bulldogs program” and will not be rescheduled.
“I, the team and our staff are at a loss for words with the cancellation. Safety and everyone’s health is extremely important, and our team has done a terrific job of creating and protecting our bubble and abiding by all of the protocols and steps necessary to remain safe,” said Gardner-Webb head coach Tre Lamb. “We had only three positives out of 380 total tests, but contact tracing knocked out eight of our 12 offensive linemen. Everyone in the program had worked very hard and were really looking forward to finally playing a game. To lose a game the day before is really hard on all of us. I don’t understand the contact tracing aspect. It’s tough.
“We will continue to work toward playing a Big South schedule in the spring. I am confident our young men will do all they can and will work exceptionally hard to put their best foot forward when we get the chance to play.”
With the cancellation, Gardner-Webb’s fall season is over. The Runnin’ Bulldogs next contest is scheduled for Saturday, March 20, 2021 at home against Monmouth.
“I really hate this for both teams, but as we look at the national landscape, these cancellations are becoming more and more common,” said 49ers Director of Athletics Mike Hill. “Every time we actually play a game, it’s a victory no matter the score. Our resilience is being tested, but we will continue to fight the good fight because our players deserve nothing less.”
Charlotte (2-3, 2-1 C-USA) is scheduled to play next on Saturday, Nov. 21 on the road against the 16th-ranked Marshall Thundering Herd. The game is scheduled for 12:30pm ET and will be televised by Stadium.
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