Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson revealed he was among the members of his program to contract the coronavirus.
He said Monday he tested positive on Sept. 16, four days after his Red Wolves upset Kansas State 35-31 despite being without 10 starters and 20 players in all for the game.
“I got sick within a couple days, started having symptoms,” he said, adding he ran a fever for 10 days.
Arkansas State’s following two games on the schedule — Sept. 19 against Central Arkansas and Sept. 26 against Tulsa — were postponed. The Red Wolves (1-1) are set to return to the field on Saturday in a Sun Belt Conference matchup at Coastal Carolina (2-0).
Anderson became the second college football coach, following Florida State’s Mike Norvell, to disclose a positive COVID-19 test.
“Let’s just say it’s been a challenge. We have dealt with COVID and the reality of it as well as I think you can. We knew there was a risk when we got back to playing, and everybody chose to be here for the potential that we could have some guys both on and off the field that would catch it. And we did,” he said.
He said his players, now past the virus, are ready for Coastal Carolina.
“I do feel like we’re coming over the hurdle, and starting to look like ourselves. And you could tell the kids are real excited about the opportunity to play.”
