Report: Texas A&M to bow out of Gator Bowl matchup with Wake Forest due to COVID-19
Wake Forest’s postseason is now in serious doubt.
The Demon Deacons were set to face Texas A&M in the Gator Bowl later this month, but the Aggies are reportedly backing out of the matchup due to a COVID-19 outbreak.
The news was first reported by Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger, who notes that any replacement would have to come from a team in a similar situation.
Because of a COVID outbreak, Texas A&M is unable to play in the Gator Bowl, sources tell @SINow. Aggies don’t have enough available players.
Gator is searching for a replacement bowl team, sources say, but the only way that's possible is if another bowl is impacted.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 22, 2021
The Demon Deacons entered the postseason with a 10-3 record, marking just the second time in program history they’ve reached the 10-win threshold. Wake Forest went 11-3 in 2006.
Other college football programs across the country are dealing with COVID-19, so it’s possible a replacement opponent is found in time.
If a replacement is not found, Wake Forest would not receive the $5.3 million bowl payout that would normally come from playing in the Gator Bowl.
If the Gator Bowl does happen, it will kick off at 11:00 a.m. ET on Dec. 31.