Earlier Thursday, Maryland Athletics announced that the Terps are pausing all team-related activities and that Saturday’s game against Michigan State will be cancelled due to positive COVID-19 tests within the program. Saturday’s game won’t be rescheduled.

The announcement comes after 15 players and 6 staff members tested positive for COVID-19 between Dec. 10-16, according to a statement from Maryland Athletics. In addition to those 15 players, three more presumptive positive tests came back and the program is waiting for confirmatory PCR results, according to the statement. Also, all of those individuals who have tested positive are in designated isolation spaces, according to the statement.

With these positive tests, Maryland’s population positivity rate is at 12.4%. The population positivity rate measures the number of positive individuals divided by the total population at risk. According to the Big Ten’s COVID-19 Policy, if a team’s population positivity rate is greater than 7.5% they must stop regular practice and competition for a minimum of seven days and reassess metrics until improved.

“This has been a season of promise and of adversity,” head coach Mike Locksley said. Our team has demonstrated a tremendous work ethic, resolve and displayed Maryland pride throughout this unique season. We have battled two opponents each week, the team we matched up with on the field and COVID. Together, we experienced tremendous highs and we are deeply disappointed that we will not be able to test ourselves on the field against Michigan State.”

This is the second time this season the Terps have paused all team related activities. Earlier in November, Maryland had back-to-back games cancelled against No. 3 Ohio State and Michigan State when 23 players and seven staff members tested positive for COVID-19.

Saturday’s game is Maryland’s (2-3) fourth cancellation of the season. It was scheduled to be part of Big Ten Champions week and the Terps final game at Maryland Stadium this season.