LA Tech-ULM football game canceled due to COVID-19

The scheduled football game between Louisiana Tech and ULM at Independence Stadium has been canceled due to COVID-19 issues within the Warhawk football program.

“We are very disappointed that this game won’t take place,” said Louisiana Tech VP and Director of Athletics Eric Wood. “We were in a much better place from a health standpoint within our program after Friday and Sunday’s tests and were ready to go. However, after talking to Scott McDonald this morning, they are not in a similar situation. It’s unfortunate, but it’s the world we are maneuvering through right now.

“I hate it for our student-athletes and our fans, but we will continue to move forward. We are working with the conference office to see if there are any other possibilities, but it’s too early to know right now. We appreciate everyone’s understanding.”

The nearby schools scheduled the neutral site late in the summer to help fill gaps in the schedule created by the pandemic.

“We’re extremely disappointed to announce the cancellation of this much anticipated game,” ULM Athletics Director Scott McDonald said. “Two rounds of COVID-19 tests following the team’s road trip to Georgia State required the isolation and quarantine of some student-athletes, coaches and administrators. Following the CDC and Sun Belt Conference protocols for positive tests and subsequent contact tracing, it is clear that our student-athletes and coaches don’t have adequate time to safely prepare for Saturday’s game. I will reach out to Dr. Eric Wood to begin discussions about renewing this rivalry in the very near future.”

“I can’t express the disappointment our student-athletes and coaches feel in the forced cancellation of this game,” ULM head coach Matt Viator said. “Our team will resume normal football activities this weekend while turning its attention to the home finale on Nov. 28 against Louisiana Lafayette.”