TAMPA, Fla. — USF football’s home game Saturday night against Navy has been postponed due to Covid-19 impacts, a source told Spectrum Sport 360’s Chris Torello.

The school confirmed the postponement Wednesday in a release.

“We are disappointed that we will be unable to play Navy this week,” USF Vice President of Athletic Michael Kelly said in a statement. “Our student-athletes are continuing to work hard with energy and enthusiasm, and look forward to the opportunity to compete and get better each week. However, all our decisions start with the health and safety of our student-athletes as our first priority and we reached a point this week where the decision was clear that it was in their best interest to postpone this week’s game.”

What You Need To Know

  • Saturday's USF vs. Navy game in Tampa postponed 

  • Game postponed due to positive COVID-19 cases 

  • USF Football Schedule

USF head coach Jeff Scott said Tuesday that the team had only 59 scholarship players at practice. The team was even using graduate assistants and kickers on scout team.

“We’re definitely thin (on roster numbers) and trying to keep everyone healthy,” said Scott. “This year, you have guys starting off the season that are opting out, so that’s one group right there. Then you have players that are out due to COVID-related issues, whether they’re positive and they’re in isolation or they have contact tracing, they’re in quarantine. So that’s another group that comes out and then you have your standard injuries.”

USF (1-7, 0-6 AAC) played at Houston this past weekend. The Cougars also canceled their game this week against SMU due to complications with COVID.

This is the second game this season to be postponed for USF. The FAU game on September 26th was postponed following contact tracing efforts that stemmed from an outbreak at Notre Dame; USF’s opponent September 19.

USF will work with the American Athletic Conference and Navy on a potential date to reschedule the contest. Navy recently had two other contests rescheduled to December due to its own bouts with COVID-19 in Annapolis.

As of today ten college football games have been postponed or cancelled this week due to COVID. Over the past two weeks, that number stands at 24 postponements or cancellations.

USF’s next game is Friday, November 27 against UCF at Raymond James Stadium. Kickoff for the War On I-4 is set for 3:30pm.