Tennessee withdraws from AutoZone Liberty Bowl due to COVID-19 issues
Photo: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
The Tennessee Volunteers have withdrawn from the 2020 AutoZone Liberty Bowl, the school announced on Monday.
Tennessee was scheduled to face the West Virginia Mountaineers in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn., on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020 (New Year’s Eve). The Volunteers pulled out of the game after COVID-19 tests revealed “…an increase in positive cases among student-athletes and staff and subsequent contact tracing.”
“Earlier today, I was informed by our medical staff that I have tested positive for COVID-19, and I immediately began isolating at home,” Tennessee Head Football Coach Jeremy Pruitt said. “I am experiencing mild symptoms but doing fine. We are obviously disappointed that we will not be able to play in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, but the health and safety of our student-athletes will always remain our top pr
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Tennessee, with a 3-7 record, would have been miles from bowl eligibility in a normal year. In the Vols’ place come the Black Knghts of Army West Point, who were 9-2 this season. Included in their wins were victories over Navy and Air Force, which gave them the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. Army West Point has won it in three of the last four seasons.
The Black Knights were left out of bowl selections on Sunday, but after evincing a “we’ll play anyone, anytime, anywhere” attitude, were a ready replacement for the Volunteers. They remained on campus and continued practicing in the hopes that an opening would occur.
Tennessee out of Liberty Bowl game after spike in Covid-19 cases, including Coach Pruitt wrcbtv.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wrcbtv.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
WVU to face Tennessee in the Liberty Bowl By
December 20, 2020 - 4:12 pm
Dec 19, 2020; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee quarterback Harrison Bailey (15) throws a pass during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Brianna Paciorka-USA TODAY NETWORK
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. West Virginia has accepted an invitation to play in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee on New Year’s Eve. The Mountaineers will face the Tennessee Volunteers (3-7).
BREAKING: We’re excited to host @WVUfootball in the 62nd @AutoZone Liberty Bowl! #AZLB62#HailWV
Ticket information can be viewed here. The game will kickoff at 4 p.m. eastern time and will be televised by ESPN.