Vanderbilt-Missouri football game postponed because of COVID-19

Vanderbilt's game against Missouri on Saturday has been postponed because of positive COVID-19 tests and quarantines on the Vanderbilt roster, the SEC announced Monday.

The game has been tentatively rescheduled for Dec. 12 in Columbia, Mo. It is the first SEC game to not be played on time in the 2020 season during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is the 28th FBS game overall to be postponed or canceled since Aug. 26.

Vanderbilt had only 56 scholarship players for its 41-7 loss to South Carolina on Saturday.

The SEC requires a team to have at least 53 scholarship players available this season to avoid a cancellation, rescheduling or no-contest declaration of a game.

Coach Derek Mason, on his coach's show on 102.5 FM The Game Monday, said the decision was made after receiving results of COVID-19 tests players took on Sunday.

"We haven’t had any huge numbers (of COVID-19 positive tests)," Mason said. "But any number is huge when you talk about (positive tests in addition to) contact-tracing and injuries."

Defensive secondary impacted the most

On Monday, Mason also acknowledged a positive COVID-19 test for safety Donovan Kaufman, who missed the South Carolina game. Linebacker Alston Orji, safety Dashaun Jerkins, cornerback Randall Haynie, Ja'Veon Marlow and others also did not play.

On Saturday, Mason declined to specify why each player was out, but he suggested that COVID-19 played a part.

Vanderbilt and Missouri entered the season with depleted rosters. They each had six players to opt out of the season over COVID-19 concerns, the most of any SEC teams.

“The league and universities have been prepared for the likelihood of disruptions within the season while we all navigate the various challenges and complexities of competing during a global pandemic," Vanderbilt athletics director Candice Lee said in a statement. "As always, we are committed to taking whatever steps necessary for the health and safety of our students and community."

Vanderbilt (0-3) will have time to replenish its roster. It already was scheduled for an off week Oct. 24 before playing Ole Miss at home on Oct. 31.

Vanderbilt tested students, kept fans out of home games

Vanderbilt had the strictest game attendance policy of any SEC school. While other member schools permitted 20% to 25% capacity for home games, Vanderbilt allowed only students to attend its home games against LSU and South Carolina.

Vanderbilt students are tested weekly for COVID-19. Other fans, including players' families, were not permitted to enter Vanderbilt Stadium for home games. Some watched from a hotel and parking garage overlooking the field.

“While we share in the disappointment that this Saturday’s game will be postponed, our program is deeply appreciative of the tireless efforts put forth by student-athletes, university officials, conference administrators and medical experts who have risen to the challenge of helping us navigate these unprecedented circumstances,” Mason said. “The safety and well-being of our student-athletes will remain a top priority as we continue the season, and we look forward to returning to competition.”

Vanderbilt follows Titans, Nashville SC in missed games due to COVID-19

Vanderbilt is the third Nashville team to have at least one game postponed by COVID-19.

The Tennessee Titans' Oct. 4 game against the Steelers was postponed, and their game against the Bills was moved from Sunday to Tuesday. The Titans have had 24 team members — 13 players and 11 personnel — test positive for COVID-19 since Sept. 24.

Nashville SC withdrew from the MLS Is Back Tournament in July, after nine players tested positive for COVID-19 inside the tournament's bubble in Orlando. And a 10th Nashville SC player tested positive in early October.

Eric Blum, Erik Bacharach and Drake Hills contributed to this report. Reach Adam Sparks at asparks@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.