The 2020 Virginia Cavaliers at Virginia Tech Hokies football game has been postponed due to the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, both schools have announced.
The game was set to be played on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va. The game will be rescheduled to a later date to be announced.
“The safety, as well as the physical and mental well-being of these young men and women entrusted to our care by their families remains our top priority,” said Virginia Tech Director of Athletics, Whit Babcock. “While we share the disappointment of everyone who hoped to begin the football season against our in-state rival, we remain optimistic that a full ACC football schedule can be played thanks to the flexibility the present format permits. Despite this delay, our schedule still aligns closely with the Southeastern Conference and Big 12 football timelines.
“We appreciate the continued support of President Sands for our student-athletes and Tech Athletics as we navigate these unprecedented times,” Babcock continued. “We are still optimistic about fall Olympic sports playing their schedules. We likewise support Dr. Sands and our campus officials as they remain committed to providing the best learning environment possible under the circumstances this semester.”
“My primary concern continues to be the well-being of the student-athletes on our football team,” said Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente. “I hurt for them because I know how badly they want to compete. I also appreciate that these young men have been dealing with the same stress, uncertainty and anxiety as their fellow Virginia Tech students over the past few months as their spring semester was dramatically altered. Then they were forced to find a way to train on their own, and to their credit, they found a way to get it done.
“So many individuals worked so tirelessly to give us an opportunity to get back on campus to train and to get back on the practice field. To all of those individuals who continue to go the extra mile for our student-athletes, I’m extremely grateful. I appreciate how many people at Virginia Tech are so deeply invested in the success of our football team and our young men.”
Virginia Tech is now scheduled to open the 2020 season on Saturday, Sept. 26 at home against the NC State Wolfpack.
“These are very challenging times. We understand and respect the decision by Virginia Tech,” said Virginia director of athletics Carla Williams. “With so much uncertainty, flexibility in scheduling becomes incredibly important. I know both teams and both fan bases were looking forward to opening the season next weekend. We’ll work with the conference and Virginia Tech to reschedule.”
Virginia will now open their season on Saturday, Sept. 26 at home against the Duke Blue Devils after the ACC moved that contest up from its previously scheduled date of Nov. 14.
Football Schedules