The 2020 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Wake Forest Demon Deacons football game has been postponed, both schools have announced.
The Notre Dame-Wake Forest game was postponed due to seven new positive novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) tests of Notre Dame football student-athletes on Monday. A total of 13 players are now in isolation, with 10 in quarantine.
“With student-athlete health and safety our primary focus, we will continue to follow our prevention protocols and ongoing testing procedures,” said Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly. “We managed an increase in positivity rates in August, and the players handled it wonderfully.
“We knew COVID would present challenges throughout the season, and we’ll always put student-athlete health and safety at the forefront of our decision making. We look forward to resuming team activities and getting back on the playing field.”
Notre Dame and Wake Forest were set to meet at Trust Field in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Saturday, Sept. 26 in a matchup that is dubbed the Duke’s Mayo Classic. The game was previously scheduled to be played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
“Jack Swarbrick called me a short time ago to let me know of their situation,” said Wake Forest Director of Athletics John Currie. “I know everyone involved is saddened to be unable to play this weekend, but based on the circumstances it is the right decision. We are already discussing options for rescheduling with the ACC and our future opponents, including the possibility of playing on the October 3rd weekend.”
“We are obviously very disappointed that we will not be able to compete this weekend,” said Wake Forest Head Coach Dave Clawson. “However, the health and safety of Wake Forest’s and Notre Dame’s student-athletes and staff is the highest priority. We will continue to work with the ACC and our administration on rescheduling options.”
Both Notre Dame and Wake Forest are open on Saturday, Oct. 3, so the game could be rescheduled for that date. The two schools do not share any additional open dates.
Notre Dame is 2-0 so far this season following wins over Duke, 27-13, and USF, 52-0, both at home. Wake Forest has lost back-to-back games to start the season, falling 37-13 at home to No. 1 Clemson and 45-42 on the road at NC State.
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