Miami Withdraws From Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl Due to COVID-19 Protocols

The Hurricanes were slated to play Washington State this Friday.

Miami announced that it can not participate in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl due to COVID-19 protocols on Sunday night. 

“We are extremely disappointed that our football team will be unable to participate in the 2021 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl,” deputy director of athletics/chief operating officer Jennifer Strawley said. “But due to the number of COVID-19 cases impacting our roster we do not have enough student-athletes to safely compete, and the health and safety of our student-athletes will always be our top priority. This team worked hard all season to earn a bowl invitation and my heart goes out to our student-athletes, especially our seniors. I also want to thank Interim Head Coach Jess Simpson and our football staff for all of their efforts in preparation for this bowl game." 

Miami was slated to play Washington State on Friday to try and end a tumultuous season on a high note. Instead, this season will come to an end for the Hurricanes. Miami finished at 7–5 and saw its coach Manny Diaz get fired in the process. The program has since hired former Oregon coach Mario Cristobal to replace him. 

Teams up next on the 5-7 APR pecking order include Syracuse, Texas and Illinois, by the way. https://t.co/oNnvhuiI9X

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 27, 2021

The Sun Bowl has not been canceled yet and is looking for a possible replacement, Washington State announced. If no replacement is found, this would be the fourth bowl game to not be canceled this season. 

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— Washington State Football (@WSUCougarFB) December 27, 2021