West Virginia football pauses, game vs. Oklahoma canceled

The West Virginia Mountaineers announced on Thursday that they're pausing all football-related activities for at least seven days because of recent positive COVID-19 cases and subsequent quarantines impacting the program. 

As a result, Saturday's game against the Oklahoma Sooners has been canceled and will be ruled a no contest. 

"Our intent is to get this spread under control as soon as possible for the health and safety of all involved," West Virginia athletic director Shane Lyons said in the prepared statement offered by the school. "We are beyond disappointed not to play our final home game of the season and honor our seniors, but we need to act now and reevaluate our situation after Dec. 17."

This is the second time a game between the two schools had to be called off because of concerns related to the health crisis. They were originally scheduled to meet on Nov. 28 but couldn't because of COVID-19 issues within the Sooners. 

Oklahoma, ranked No. 11, will face the No. 7-ranked Iowa State Cyclones in the Big 12 Championship in Arlington, Texas on Dec. 19. Iowa State will be coming off a 42-6 thrashing of West Virginia from last week and was already scheduled to be idle through this weekend. 

West Virginia, meanwhile, sits at 5-4 and is eligible to be selected to a bowl game.