College football COVID-19 update: Indiana-Purdue game, Frisco Bowl called off

no Old Oaken Bucket game in 2020. 

The rescheduled rivalry meeting between No. 7 Indiana and Purdue has been called off, less than a week after the originally scheduled game was canceled. 

On Tuesday morning, the schools announced a mutual agreement to cancel the game.

A joint statement from Purdue athletic director Mike Bobinski and Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson read:

“Upon the advice of our medical professionals and in following the guidelines and protocols established for this season, we are not able to play Friday. As we stated last week, we know the history and tradition of this great rivalry game and how much it means to our current students, alumni and fans. Both universities worked extremely hard in an effort to play, but at this time it just isn’t possible. We are certainly disappointed that we cannot play in 2020, but look forward to seeing each other on the field next season and competing once again for the Old Oaken Bucket.”

Both games were lost to ongoing COVID-19 concerns within both programs, which paused football activity last week and have not resumed normal schedules to this point. 

Indiana will finish the regular season 6-1, and await the conclusion of the coming championship weekend to learn its fate, now in the hands of the College Football Playoff committee. If the committee ranks Indiana highly enough — likely somewhere in their top 10, possibly top 12 — then the Hoosiers could be in line for a New Year’s Six bowl. It would be their most high-profile postseason appearance since the 1968 Rose Bowl. 

—Zach Osterman, Indianapolis Star. 

Frisco Bowl canceled

The first bowl game on the calendar has been the first bowl game called off due to COVID-19 issues.

The Frisco Bowl between SMU and Texas-San Antonio was scheduled to be played Dec. 19. However, the Mustangs will be unable to play due to health concerns. The Roadrunners will now play in the First Responder Bowl on Dec. 26 against an unnamed opponent.

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