Stanford to decline any postseason opportunity

The Stanford Cardinal are set to face off this coming week in their third straight game away from home, taking on the UCLA Bruins to end the 2020 Pac-12 football season.

That game will also end the Cardinal’s season as Stanford will decline any postseason invitation or opportunity amid the global pandemic.

The full statement from the athletic department:

Stanford, winners of three straight and now bowl eligible, announced today that Saturday’s game at UCLA will be its final contest of the season. After being on the road since Dec. 1, the Cardinal will decline postseason opportunities.

On Monday, the program will relocate to Santa Barbara, Calif. to prepare for Saturday’s game at UCLA.

Football student-athletes reported back to campus on July 1 to begin training for the 2020 season, which was postponed on Aug. 12 and reinstated on Sept. 24. The Cardinal began training camp on Oct. 9 at Woodside High School in San Mateo County before practices on campus started Oct. 14.

The Cardinal opened its season at Oregon on Nov. 7 before its only home game of the season on Nov. 14 vs. Colorado. After a game cancellation due to COVID-19 issues at Washington State, Stanford went on the road and defeated Cal in Big Game on Nov. 27.

The following day, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department announced a new emergency directive that prohibited training and competition inside the county.

Stanford departed for the Seattle area on Tuesday, Dec. 1 to prepare for its road game at Washington on Dec. 5. Following that game, the program relocated on Sunday, Dec. 6 and spent the week in Corvallis, Ore. preparing for its game at Oregon State, a contest that was originally scheduled for Stanford Stadium.

It’s a move that makes complete sense. Good on you, Stanford. Beat the Bruins!