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ESPN Senior Writer- College football reporter.
- Joined ESPN.com in 2008.
- Graduate of Northwestern University.
The Air Force-Army football game on Saturday has been postponed because of COVID-19 issues at Air Force, the school announced Thursday.
Air Force had been set to travel Thursday to West Point, New York, in preparation for Saturday's game, which was set to kick off at 11:30 a.m. ET and be televised by CBS. But an increase in COVID-19 cases and contact tracing will prevent the game from taking place.
It is unclear whether the game can be rescheduled. Air Force and Army have no common open dates left on the schedule. The teams could play Dec. 19, the week after Army plays Navy and a week before Army plays in the Independence Bowl. The Mountain West championship game is also set for Dec. 19.
"We are disappointed to postpone this game, but the health and safety of our cadets, staff and the community continues to be our No. 1 priority at the Academy," Air Force athletic director Nathan Pine said in a statement. "Due to the upward trends in our COVID numbers across the campus, we have paused all intercollegiate team activities."
Air Force and Army have played every year since 1968.
Army also had a Sept. 12 home game with BYU postponed because of COVID-19 issues with the Cougars. Sources said Army would be open to scheduling a new opponent for this weekend if one comes available.
Air Force beat Navy 40-7 on Oct. 3 before opening Mountain West play Oct. 24 against San Jose State. The Falcons have dropped both of their league games.