The Houston–Baylor game, set for Saturday in Waco, Texas, has been postponed after Baylor did not meet the Big 12 Conference COVID-19 game cancellation thresholds.
The schools have agreed to honor the future home and home schedule, as well as monitor dates for future scheduling opportunities.
“The loss of this game is a devastating blow, but in the interest of the health and safety of our student-athletes, we believe we made the necessary decision,” said Baylor Director of Athletics Mack B. Rhoades in a statement. “We are incredibly disappointed with the continued delay to the start of our season, and empathize with our student-athletes, fans, coaches, and administrative staff. We are grateful for the support and understanding of the University of Houston, Athletic director Chris Pezman, and Chancellor Khator. We look forward to a future home and home match-up.”
Both schools worked quickly to schedule the game last week after previous postponements. Houston had been set to face Memphis tonight, but a rise in positive COVID-19 tests at Memphis forced a postponement. Baylor had its original season opener Sept. 12 against Louisiana Tech postponed because of an COVID-19 outbreak with Louisiana Tech.
Baylor, under first-year coach Dave Aranda, must now prepare for a fourth potential season-opening opponent, as it initially had been set to face Ole Miss before the SEC went to a conference-only schedule. The Bears are set to host Kansas on Sept. 26, while Houston is set to host North Texas the same day.
“We’re heartbroken from this postponement,” said Aranda. “While we’ve been eager to play football this fall, we have all made a commitment to only do so with the highest level of safety and care for our student-athletes. We are disappointed for our team, staff, and our fans, but look forward with great anticipation to renewing this rivalry in the future.”