The Hawaii Bowl was canceled on Thursday, the day before it took place, after the home team withdrew from the game due to a series of COVID-19 problems, injuries and transfers, which left several out. players.
“We are disappointed that our season is ending in this way,” Hawaii coach Todd Graham said in a statement. “Although we are competitive and we wanted a lot to play this game, we cannot put the health of our student-athletes at risk.”
The match was scheduled for this Friday at the Clarence TC Ching Athletics Complex.
Derek Inouchi, a spokesman for Hawaii’s sports department, said about 30 players and employees recently tested positive for COVID-19. Cases have increased in Honolulu over the past two weeks.
On the island of Oahu, the average number of new cases in the past seven days was 11 times higher on Thursday, compared to Dec. 8.
“The health of our student-athletes is the most important part of this decision,” said David Martin, Hawaii athletic director, in a statement.
Hawaii finished the season 6-8. They qualified for this collegiate bowl at home because there were no teams available with a 6-6 record.
Their rivals would be the Memphis Tigers, who finished precisely with a 6-6 record.