WSU 'willing to play any opponent' in Sun Bowl after COVID-19 forces Miami to withdraw
The University of Miami withdrew on Sunday from its scheduled Sun Bowl appearance against Washington State, citing a COVID-19 outbreak on the roster.
The withdrawal prompted Washington State head coach Jake Dickert to offer to play "any opponent" in the game scheduled for Dec. 31 in El Paso, Texas. Dickert, whose Cougars are already in El Paso, made the plea on Twitter.
Our team is in El Paso and willing to play any opponent. Our team just wants one more chance to finish this storied 2021 season. #GoCougs https://t.co/uzr2fIzPeL
— Jacob Dickert (@CoachDickert) December 27, 2021
It wasn't immediately clear who, if anyone, would be able to replace Miami as of Sunday evening. Washington State announced that it was working with the Pac-12 and the Sun Bowl Association to find an opponent. Yahoo Sports' Pete Thamel reported that Illinois — which initially failed to qualify for a bowl at 5-7 — was not a likely candidate for the game.
I have been told that it’s unlikely Illinois will make a push for the Sun Bowl.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 27, 2021
Dickert had expressed his excitement for the game in a news conference from El Paso shortly before Miami announced its withdrawal.
Washington State football coach Jake Dickert pic.twitter.com/3THq8fYuh3
— Felix Chavez (@Fchavezeptimes) December 26, 2021
Miami had previously delayed travel to El Paso
Miami's withdrawal wasn't completely unexpected. The Hurricanes were scheduled to arrive in El Paso over the weekend, but delayed their planned trip to as late as Dec. 30 amid reports of at least 10 positive COVID-19 cases on the team on Friday. Sun Bowl commissioner John Folmer told the Miami Herald on Friday that he was still planning for Miami to play.
"We're not looking for anyone else to play but Miami. The people in El Paso are buying tickets because of Miami. People in El Paso follow Miami," Folmer said.
Miami's statement
Miami athletic director Jennifer Strawley addressed Miami's decision in a statement Sunday evening.
"We are extremely disappointed that our football team will be unable to participate in the 2021 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl," Strawley said in a statement. "This team worked hard all season to earn a bowl invitation and my heart goes out to our student-athletes, especially our seniors. ...
"We regret the impact this has on the Washington State program and their postseason experience."
Another withdrawal amid Omicron surge
Miami is the fifth program to withdraw from a bowl game because of COVID-19, which is experiencing a new U.S. spike amid the Omicron variant. Yahoo Sports' Pete Thamel reported on Sunday that both the Military Bowl between Boston College and East Carolina and the Fenway Bowl between Virginia and SMU because of COVID-19 outbreaks with Boston College and Virginia were unable to field teams for the games.
An outbreak on the Hawaii football team forced the cancellation of last week's Hawaii Bowl, while COVID-19 forced Texas A&M to withdraw from the Gator Bowl. Rutgers will replace Texas A&M for the Dec. 31 game against Wake Forest.