9 Oklahoma players test positive for COVID-19 after week off practice

Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley confirmed Saturday that nine Sooners players have tested positive for COVID-19 after the team took a week off from practice, according to Brett McMurphy of The Athletic.

"Disappointed by the news, obviously," Riley said. "We've done such a tremendous job really this entire time. And certainly, you know when you give your players some time, that there is risk in that.

"The two times we've had any serious number of cases has been when we brought back our players originally and then here after having a few days when we have not had any organized team activities."

The head coach said more than 75% of his players stayed in Norman during the team's off week, adding that all nine cases are "community-based infections."

Riley said he remains "very confident" in the school's approach to preventing a COVID-19 outbreak and pointed out Oklahoma's prevention strategies proved fairly successful after the initial testing phase upon the team's return in early July.

The Sooners reported only one new case over the course of nearly a month after 14 individuals tested positive when they resumed practice.

While the Big Ten and the Pac-12 have canceled their fall football seasons and are considering spring campaigns, the three other Power 5 conferences are proceeding as planned.

Oklahoma is scheduled to begin its pursuit of a fourth straight College Football Playoff appearance Sept. 12 against Missouri State.