Maryland-Michigan State football game canceled after 15 players test positive for COVID-19

University of Maryland cancelled its last football game of the regular season on Thursday after more than a dozen UMD players tested positive for COVID-19.

The game, originally scheduled for Saturday against Michigan State, may not be Maryland’s last of the season if the team decides to compete in the postseason. Six members of the Terrapins’ coaching staff also tested positive, according to a UMD press release.

All team training activities are also paused for the time being, according to UMD athletics staff.

“This has been a season of promise and of adversity,” head coach Michael Locksley said in the news release. “Our team has demonstrated a tremendous work ethic, resolve and displayed Maryland pride throughout this unique season.

“We have battled two opponents each week: the team we matched up with on the field and COVID,” he added. “Together, we experienced tremendous highs and we are deeply disappointed that we will not be able to test ourselves on the field against Michigan State.”

It wasn’t clear how many members of UMD’s football team have tested positive in total, but 36 student athletes at the university have tested positive for the virus, according to the university’s press release Thursday.

UMD previously canceled two games, including the school’s earlier scheduled game with Michigan State, in November after eight players and Locksley himself tested positives for COVID-19.