CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Miami Athletics announced Sunday that its football team will be unable to participate in the 2021 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl against Washington State due to COVID-19 protocols.
“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.
“We regret the impact this has on the Washington State program and their postseason experience. I want to commend the Sun Bowl Association for their tireless work in helping us navigate this situation over the past several days. We are grateful for their support as an Atlantic Coast Conference bowl partner.”
Sun Bowl Executive Director Bernie Olivas says that the game is not cancelled and a replacement is being sought:
“It is very disappointing that COVID is taking a toll on so many college football teams and bowl games. As of this moment, the 2021 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl game has not been cancelled, although the University of Miami has withdrawn from the game. We are currently looking for a possible replacement-team, in the hopes of having one to compete against Washington State, in the 88th Annual Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl.”
The 2021 Tony the Tiger is still scheduled for 10 a.m. (MT) on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, with Washington State out of the Pac-12 and an opponent to be determined. The Sun Bowl Association will give another update by Monday evening.