The Pac-12 apologized Friday to Stanford for COVID-19 testing errors prior to last Saturday’s season-opening 35-14 loss at Oregon.
“There were testing protocol errors with respect to a Stanford student-athlete who tested positive for COVID-19. The student-athlete and others who were immediately identified as individuals who would be high-risk contacts if the student-athlete were positive did not play in the game, in accordance with Pac-12 protocols, and the student-athletes were immediately isolated,” read the league’s statement.
Upon returning to the campus in Palo Alto, Calif., the Pac-12 said daily PCR testing revealed the player did not have COVID-19 and he has been cleared to return to practice.
“We apologize to the Stanford football team and its supporters, and especially to the student-athletes who were held out of the game as a result of the testing protocol errors,” the league said. “We are working with our game day testing partner to ensure this type of error does not occur in the future.”
The Pac-12 statement did not identify the Cardinal players involved, but starting quarterback Davis Mills, receiver Connor Wedington and defensive end Trey LaBounty were held out of the game.
Jack West started against the Ducks in Mills’ absence and completed 13 of 19 passes for 154 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
Stanford is scheduled to host Colorado on Saturday afternoon.
