22 Dec 2020
The Army Black Knights thought that the coronavirus would bring the end of their season. With so many PAC-12 teams canceling due to positive coronavirus tests among players and coaches, the 9-2 winning team found out Sunday that the Independence Bowl, to which Army had a months-long commitment, was canceled. But, on Monday the Knights found out they will have a chance to play and will battle the West Virginia Mountaineers in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on December 31.
“They were desperate for an opportunity to play one more time,” Army coach Jeff Monken told ESPN. Monken said a combination of teams opting out of bowl games due to coronavirus and teams refusing to take on Army created a situation where the team’s seniors might not be able to play their last game.
COVID-19 knocks Vols from Liberty Bowl; Army in austinglobe.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from austinglobe.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Dan Fleser: No Bowl For The Vols After All As Pruitt, Some Players Get COVID Monday, December 21, 2020 - by Dan Fleser
The day after Tennessee received a bowl bid because of circumstances related to COVID-19, the Vols won t play for the same reason. .
The university announced Monday afternoon that the Vols had paused all team activities after Sunday’s round of test results and will be unable to play in the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 31 in Memphis. The test results revealed an increase in positive tests among student-athletes and staffers and subsequent contract tracing.
He immediately began isolating at home.
Army takes Liberty Bowl spot left by Tennessee s withdrawal bdtonline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bdtonline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Army to face West Virginia in AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Photo: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
The Army Black Knights will play the West Virginia Mountaineers in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, it was announced on Monday.
Army is replacing the Tennessee Volunteers in the game due to the Volunteers experiencing a rise in positive COVID-19 test results, including for head coach Jeremy Pruitt.
Army and West Virginia will square off at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn., on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020 (New Year’s Eve). The game, which will be televised by ESPN at 4:00pm ET, will mark the fourth meeting between the two schools on the gridiron.