Pac-12 Doubles Down On Covid Testing

Pac-12 unveils new COVID-19 testing partnership to enhance safety

As part of the agreement, Fulgent will provide reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing — widely considered the gold standard in testing for COVID-19 — to every athletic department within the conference. The Pac-12 previously had announced a partnership with Quidel Corp. to acquire rapid testing for each of its athletic departments, prompting conference officials to reboot a fall sports season that had been put on hold.

“We are excited to be partnering with a leading testing company in Fulgent to provide our athletic departments with the very best capabilities to protect the health and well-being of our student-athletes,” Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott said in a statement. “On the heels of our agreement with Quidel to provide rapid-results testing, today’s announcement represents another important step in providing a safe and healthy environment for a return to competition for our student-athletes.”

The tests provided by Fulgent provide a higher level of sensitivity and specificity than the rapid tests, giving more reliable results within 24 hours of receipt of the testing sample. The new tests will add another layer of security to ensure that athletes who take the practice field and compete in games do not have COVID-19.

“Routine, rapid testing is playing a key role in limiting the spread of COVID-19 and is helping to keep players, coaches and staff safe as they look to return to competition,” Brandon Perthuis, chief commercial officer of Fulgent, said in a statement. “The Pac-12 has implemented several protocols in this area, and the RT-PCR testing provided by Fulgent Genetics is an important part of this process.”

Pac-12 football teams are slated to start the season the weekend of Nov. 6, with the full schedule expected to be released later this week.

latimes.com

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RialtoTrojan
Noble Genius
RialtoTrojan
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October 1, 2020 4:19 pm

I keep checking for the schedule that is supposed to have been set up this week. I wonder if they lost the cup of bones they shake to cast out the schedule. Anyway you look at it the PAC 12 looks about as organized as a mad woman’s purse.

TrojanRJJ
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October 1, 2020 11:11 am

Just read that CA has just revised its Covid standards to allow for football practice. I find it amazing that the only reason these standards were changed was political pressure from the USC football team (and ONLY the kids could have asserted this level of pressure) and the Big 10’s return.

UtahTrojan
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UtahTrojan
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September 30, 2020 2:48 pm

Maybe the conference should have come to the aid of USC in their hour of need instead of standing on the sideline and being the NCAA’ cheerleading squad. If they had maybe the whole conference would be stronger today.
At the same time I see this a little bit as the rest of the power 5 saying they are fine with the PAC not being involved with the playoff structure.
My feeling is even if USC or Oregon go in defeating they will still not be part of a playoff.

gametv
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October 1, 2020 11:02 am
Reply to  UtahTrojan

If USC goes undefeated, beats an undeafeated Oregon in the Pac-12 title game and then plays decently against a tough opponent in a bowl game, I will be happy with that. It would be a step in the right direction. My guess is that it would also fortify our recruiting push for both 2021 and 2022.

TrojanRJJ
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October 1, 2020 11:15 am
Reply to  UtahTrojan

Utah, The Pac has been so poorly lead over the last decade (and SC is part of the reason for that incompetent leadership) that it is barely holding onto to its status as a Power 5 Conference. But, that is both in the past and simply reality. As with both Allen and gametv, I would be thrilled if SC wins the Pac and then plays a big bowl opposite ND. Odd way to get our ND game back, but it appears to be the only way in the present environment.

TrojanRJJ
Noble Genius
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October 1, 2020 1:34 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

If true, it appears Merton Hanks actually is competent at his job. My guess is Hanks is the first competent football manager of the Scott era. As to wining the South, my money is on Utah as SC will play Utah in SLC Most likely in the snow.

UtahTrojan
Noble Genius
UtahTrojan
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October 1, 2020 2:11 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I expect Utah to have a tough D as usual, but not to beat SC.

UtahTrojan
Noble Genius
UtahTrojan
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October 1, 2020 3:41 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I didn’t even know that and I live here.

Jamaica
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Jamaica
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September 30, 2020 2:28 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Larry Scott is trying to open the doors for his conference to get a free pass into the playoffs. He doesn’t have the moxie and won’t until PAC-12 football starts showing it can compete with the big boys. Sorry Larry, you get turned away again…..