Due to the Chinese coronavirus pandemic, last Saturday’s game between Tulsa and Navy was postponed.

The American Athletic Conference announced the game between Tulsa (3-1, 3-0 in the American Athletic Conference) and Navy in Annapolis, Maryland, has been postponed due to positive COVID-19 cases at the Naval Academy and the ensuing contact tracing of student-athletes.

“We are disappointed not to face Tulsa this weekend, however protocols and guidelines are very comprehensive both at the Naval Academy and within the American Athletic Conference,” said Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk. “There are a number of medical personnel that have reviewed all the related issues and, in the end, an administrative decision has been made that clearly reflects the safety and welfare of all involved with both institutions.”

Since Tulsa and Navy do not share a common open date through the rest of the 2020 season, The conference will consider a number of options with regard to the playing of the contest.

“We knew that this season would be different in the face of the pandemic, and unfortunately has forced another weekend without football for our team,” said Tulsa’s Director of Athletics Rick Dickson. “I’m disappointed for our football student-athletes and coaches who continue to work and practice diligently, but it reinforces the challenge facing all programs.”

This is the fourth time that a Tulsa game has been postponed or canceled due to COVID cases, including Arkansas State, Oklahoma State and Cincinnati. In addition, the Toledo and Arkansas State games were canceled before the season opened. The Oklahoma State contest was moved back a week to Sept. 19, while the Cincinnati game is scheduled to be played on Dec. 5.

The Tulsa-OSU Game scheduled for Sept. 12 was moved back to Sept. 19, an open week for both schools. It was not because of positive COVID cases that week, but because of limited practice for TULSA due to COVID in the preseason. (In attempting to deal with COVID-19 protocols effectively, the Tulsa football team has been limited in practice sessions since the beginning of preseason camp on August 7. Tulsa had a nine-day pause due to multiple positive tests and was limited to seven practices in the 17 days of preseason camp).

The Arkansas State game (Sept. 26) postponed due to Arkansas State’s stated inability to assemble a two-deep depth chart at one position group that would allow the game to be played safely. A make-up date is not likely.

The Cincinnati home game (Oct. 17) postponed due to positive Cincinnati COVID cases and ensuing quarantine of student-athletes. It was rescheduled for Dec. 5.

Tulsa will be home on November 14, as the Golden Hurricane faces the No. 19-ranked SMU Mustangs at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Game time is set for 6 p.m. and will air on ESPN2. 

SMU (7-1, 4-1 in the AAC) beat Temple 47-23 Saturday in Philadelphia. SMU scored four touchdowns in the fourth quarter of that game.

Original TU 2020 Schedule

September 5 – Toledo (cancelled)

September 12 at OSU (moved to September 19), OSU won 16.7

September 19 – Northwestern State (cancelled)

September 26  at Arkansas State (postponed)

October. 3 at then No. 11 UCF (Tulsa 34-25)                 

October 17 – Cincinnati (postponed and moved to December 5)

October 23 at USF (TU 42-13)

October 30 – East Carolina (TU 34-30)

November 7 at Navy (postponed)

November 14 – SMU            

November  21 – Tulane

November 28 at Houston

Remaining Tulsa Schedule

(As of November 5)

Nov. 14 – SMU (home)

Nov. 19 – Tulane (home)

Nov. 28 at Houston

Dec. 5 – Cincinnati (home)