COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Sun not done for Cougars yet
TED S. WARREN/Associated Press Washington State head coach Jake Dickert, right, celebrates with wide receiver Mitchell Quinn (15) after the Cougars beat Washington 40-13 in the Apple Cup on Nov. 26 in Seattle.
From news and wire services
After being left in limbo on Sunday upon arrival in El Paso for Friday’s Sun Bowl, when Miami opted out of the game due to a COVID outbreak, Washington State has its opponent.
And it involves a familiar face or two to boot.
Washington State (7-5) will face Central Michigan (8-4) in Friday’s game (9 a.m., KREM). Central Michigan’s defensive coordinator is Robb Akey, the former Washington State defensive coordinator from 1999-2006 before leaving to becoming the head coach at Idaho from 2007-2012. During his time as defensive coordinator, Akey helped coach the Cougars to a Pac-10 championship, two bowl wins, a Rose Bowl berth and top 10 finish in the Associated Press poll. Jim McElwain, the Central Michigan head coach, played quarterback at Eastern Washington from 1980-1983 and served as a graduate assistant, then quarterbacks/wide receivers coach at Eastern from 1987-94.
Central Michigan was scheduled to face Boise State in the Arizona Bowl on Friday, but COVID issues within the Bronco program forced the cancellation of that game on Monday.
“We feel for the young men in our program who were very much looking forward to closing out their season, and for some, their football careers,” Boise State athletic director Jeramiah Dickey said in a statement. “I would personally like to thank Kym Adair and her team at the Arizona Bowl for putting together a first-class student-athlete and fan experience that we are extremely disappointed to miss.”
Central Michigan arrived in Tucson on Sunday.
“We are grateful for the diligent work of the Sun Bowl Association, the Pac-12 Conference, the Mid-American and Central Michigan University to ensure the 2021 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl will be played,” Washington State athletic director Pat Chun said. “A special thank you to CMU’s Director of Athletics Amy Folan and head coach Jim McElwain for prioritizing the bowl experience for both teams, especially the seniors who will be playing their final college football game.”
On Sunday, the Fenway Bowl, scheduled for Wednesday, and Monday’s Military Bowl were canceled after outbreaks forced Virginia and Boston College to call off postseason plans.
Last Friday’s Hawaii Bowl was canceled after Hawaii withdrew from its game against Memphis due to COVID, season-ending injuries and transfers.
Rutgers will replace Texas A&M in Friday’s Gator Bowl against Wake Forest after the Aggies pulled out because of a lack of available players.