ISU/WVU expected to play on Saturday despite positive tests, contact tracing at WVU

Oct 12, 2019; Morgantown, WV, USA; Iowa State Cyclones running back Breece Hall (28) scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Ahead of Iowa State’s regular-season finale on Saturday, the Cyclones’ opponent, West Virginia, is reportedly dealing with an isolated number of players impacted by positive tests and contact tracing for COVID-19, according to a report from EerSports.com, a member of the 247Sports network of websites.

A WVU athletics spokesman confirmed to Eer Sports the game remains on for Saturday at this point, but one last round of tests will take place on Friday before the team boards its plane for Iowa. Big 12 protocols require teams to be tested on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday each week.

The players impacted reportedly include two players on the Mountaineers’ offensive two-deep and one on the defense while other players on the travel roster are impacted as well.

The Cyclones, who came in at No. 9 in this week’s College Football Playoff rankings, can clinch first-place outright in the Big 12 regular season standings on Saturday and officially seal the program’s first berth in the Big 12 title game.

West Virginia has not played since Nov. 14, a home win over TCU, after having a bye on Nov. 21 and their scheduled game against Oklahoma on Nov. 28 postponed to Dec. 12 due to COVID related issues with the Sooners.

Iowa State currently holds a two-game winning streak over the Mountaineers, who enter Saturday’s game 5-3 overall and 4-3 in Big 12 play. The Cyclones have not had a game on their latest revised schedule cancelled or postponed since the season began.

Iowa State and West Virginia is slated to kick off at 2:30 p.m. in Jack Trice Stadium and be televised on ESPN.

Jared Stansbury

View articles by Jared Stansbury subscriber

Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

Follow @@JaredStansbury