"UTEP Athletics has aggressively tested our football players and staff for COVID-19 on a consistent schedule since training camp in early August. In early October, Rice officials asked if we would do a PCR test upon arrival in Houston the day before the game. We agreed to their request because we would have already conducted two of our three required tests for the week. With the Thanksgiving holiday and early departure time on Friday, it would not have been possible for us to have completed our testing and received the results before departing for Houston.
"On Friday, November 27, upon our arrival in Houston, everyone in the UTEP travel party received a COVID-19 PCR test. We received the results on Saturday morning, and learned that one of our student-athletes tested positive for the virus. Following consultation with Rice Athletics officials, and at their recommendation, we agreed to do a rapid antigen test of everyone in our travel party. The antigen test can pick up traces of the COVID-19 virus and numerous flu strains. Ten of the antigen tests came back positive. Upon receiving the test results, both schools mutually agreed that we would not play the game.
"This morning, we administered PCR tests to everyone in the travel party, except for the student-athlete who tested positive on Friday. The PCR test is recognized as the 'gold standard' of COVID testing. We have received the results, and all 10 of the individuals who tested positive with the antigen tests on Saturday tested negative today. The challenges associated with false positives with antigen tests have been widely publicized. The false positives we experienced illustrate the problem with antigen tests as a tool for decision making for athletics competition. We are working with our team doctors, sports medicine professionals, and campus officials to plan our return to practice and play for the football program."
"On Friday, November 27, upon our arrival in Houston, everyone in the UTEP travel party received a COVID-19 PCR test. We received the results on Saturday morning, and learned that one of our student-athletes tested positive for the virus. Following consultation with Rice Athletics officials, and at their recommendation, we agreed to do a rapid antigen test of everyone in our travel party. The antigen test can pick up traces of the COVID-19 virus and numerous flu strains. Ten of the antigen tests came back positive. Upon receiving the test results, both schools mutually agreed that we would not play the game.
"This morning, we administered PCR tests to everyone in the travel party, except for the student-athlete who tested positive on Friday. The PCR test is recognized as the 'gold standard' of COVID testing. We have received the results, and all 10 of the individuals who tested positive with the antigen tests on Saturday tested negative today. The challenges associated with false positives with antigen tests have been widely publicized. The false positives we experienced illustrate the problem with antigen tests as a tool for decision making for athletics competition. We are working with our team doctors, sports medicine professionals, and campus officials to plan our return to practice and play for the football program."