Wisconsin Badgers football pauses team activities; Nebraska game canceled

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- All Wisconsin Badgers football activities have been put on hold, according to coach Paul Chryst on Wednesday, Oct. 28. 

We have paused team activities.

Details: https://t.co/FiIuXVZZ60pic.twitter.com/RHnXuahyke

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 28, 2020

The Badgers game vs. Nebraska Saturday, Oct. 31 has been canceled.

“We have said from the beginning that the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches and staff members comes first,” Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez said. “Over the past several days we have seen a rising number of student-athletes and staff contract the virus. The responsible thing for us to do is to pause football-related activities for at least seven days.”

“We thank and appreciate our athletic trainers, doctors and public health staff who are supporting the health and safety of our student-athletes and program,” said UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank.

According to a news release from the Wisconsin Badgers, as of Wednesday morning, Oct. 28, a total of 12 people within the Wisconsin football program had tested positive for COVID-19 in the past five days. That figure includes six student-athletes and six staff members, including head coach Paul Chryst. Additional test results are pending.

“This morning I received the news that I had tested positive via a PCR test I took yesterday,” Chryst said. “I informed my staff and the team this morning and am currently isolating at home. I had not been experiencing any symptoms and feel good as of this morning.

“I am disappointed for our players and coaching staff who put so much into preparing to play each week. But the safety of everyone in our program has to be our top priority and I support the decision made to pause our team activities.”

Wisconsin’s next scheduled game is at home against Purdue on Nov. 7.