Gus Malzahn details positive numbers as Auburn becomes latest SEC team to pause in-person activities
By Keith Farner
Published:
Auburn became the latest SEC to pause in-person activities following an uptick of positive COVID-19 cases in the program.
Coach Gus Malzahn said that nine players and three staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. Auburn at Mississippi State had already been postponed, and Auburn is set to host Tennessee next Saturday, Nov. 21.
“We’ll get this thing under control and prepare to play our next game,” Malzahn said at his regular Tuesday press conference.
There are a “handful” of close contacts that are on top of the previous numbers.
When Auburn found out that Mississippi State didn’t have enough scholarship players available, the Tigers were worried about their own protocols to have enough players available to play.
“It was at least in the conversation we were talking about,” Malzahn said, and referred to the Auburn administrators who were involved in the discussion.
He’s not sure how the added bye week will unfold this week.
“This year is unique and we’re all learning so you’ve just got to adapt,” Malzahn said, then added what he told his players in the preseason. “The teams that adjust and adapt the best are going to have an advantage.”
Malzahn looked at the extra time as a positive for injuries, but did not know if most of the injured players would be available for Tennessee.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
