UTEP football game postponed after North Texas expressed concern about Covid surge in El Paso

EL PASO, Texas – UTEP’s home football game against North Texas on Saturday has been postponed.

UTEP Athletic Director Jim Senter confirmed to ABC-7 Tuesday evening that the decision to postpone the game was made by North Texas.

North Texas is refusing to come to El Paso due to the current surge in Covid-19 cases in the city.

Earlier in the day, UTEP had made the decision to not allow any fans for Saturday's home game.

The game was also scheduled to be televised on the CBS Sports Network

UTEP officials say there is no evidence of community spread from the Miners’ first two home football games because “Miner fans did the right things.”

But university officials made the decision in light of the surge of Covid-19 cases in the Borderland and local health officials urging residents to stay at home unless performing essential activities.

In a statement to ABC-7, UTEP President Heather Wilson had this to say about North Texas' decision to not travel to El Paso....

"We are disappointed that North Texas has chosen not to come to El Paso for the football game this weekend. 

We have a safe place to play and no players who are sick or in isolation, and North Texas has not indicated that any of their players are ill. We made the decision earlier today not to allow fans in the stadium.

We are proud of the diligence that our student-athletes, coaches and staff have shown to put us in a position to play every week.

We look forward to further discussions with Conference USA and North Texas on whether or when this game will be rescheduled.”

Decisions on fan attendance for future games will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis.

All season ticket-holders and single-game ticket holders will be contacted in the next few days about refund options.

UTEP's next scheduled game is on Nov. 7 at the Sun Bowl against Florida International.