Liberty, Coastal Carolina football game canceled due to Flames’ coronavirus cases

LYNCHBURG, Va. – UPDATE - Dec. 3, 2020 - 9:40 a.m.

Liberty University has canceled the school’s final regular-season football game due to an elevated number of COVID-19 cases on the team.

The university announced Thursday that the Flames’ game against No. 14 Coastal Carolina would not be played.

“The decision to pause football activities and cancel Saturday’s game was made by the medical staff at Liberty University. The game will not be rescheduled this season, but will be rescheduled at a future date,” said the athletic department in a news release.

While the regular season is over, the Flames will now await a possible announcement regarding a bowl game invitation later this month.

ESPN is reporting that Coastal Carolina will now host BYU in a battle of two unbeaten teams.

UPDATE - Dec. 2, 2020 - 9:57 p.m

Various published reports now have the Liberty-Coastal game being in jeopardy of cancellation because of the Covid outbreak in the Flames football program. A decision is expected Thursday after consultation with medical personnel. ESPN is scheduled to host ‘Gameday’ there, and they are reporting that 13th ranked, 9-0 BYU is close to reaching an agreement to play Coastal if the Liberty game is called off. BYU has an open week and reportedly has been seeking another game.

ORIGINAL STORY - Dec. 2, 2020 - 3:33 p.m.

There are some COVID-19 concerns within the Liberty Flames football program, according to a university athletic department official.

Liberty, which is scheduled to conclude its regular season in Conway, South Carolina, against Coastal Carolina, has been in communication with its opponent.

At this time, the plan is still to play the 2 p.m. game as scheduled.

On Wednesday morning, the Flames held a normal practicing and the team has been following its normal COVID-19 testing protocols this week.

ESPN’s College GameDay is traveling to Conway for its broadcast Saturday.