Courtesy of UTEP

UTEP President Heather Wilson announced tonight via news release that Saturday’s football game  against North Texas will not go on as scheduled due to North Texas’  COVID-19 concerns.

North Texas contacted UTEP late Tuesday afternoon to state the game was not going to be played citing a surge in coronavirus cases in El Paso as the reason for its cancellation.

“We are disappointed to have our first postponement of a Conference USA game, but the health and safety of our student-athletes, staff and coaches is our No. 1 priority,” said North Texas president Neal Smatresk in a statement. “We send our best wishes to the entire El Paso community as they face the challenge of dealing with the latest outbreak.”

The North Texas game will be the second consecutive home game for the Miners that has been canceled due to opposing team’s COVID concerns.

Conference USA has recently pushed back its championship game two weeks to allow for in conference games to be made up prioritizing divisional games for its teams. Both games postponed for UTEP were within its division.

“We are disappointed that North Texas has chosen not to come to El Paso for the football game this weekend,” Wilson said. “We have a safe place to play and no players who are sick or in isolation, and North Texas has not indicated that any of their players are ill. We made the decision earlier today not to allow fans in the stadium.”

“We are proud of the diligence that our student-athletes, coaches and staff have shown to put us in a position to play every week, Wilson added. “We look forward to further discussions with Conference USA and North Texas on whether or when this game will be rescheduled.”

Michael Cuviello may be reached at [email protected]