Holiday Bowl between UCLA and NC State Wolfpack canceled due to COVID-19 issues in Bruins’ schedule

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UCLA was forced to withdraw from the Holiday Bowl just hours before Tuesday’s scheduled game against NC State in San Diego due to COVID-19 concerns within the Bruins’ schedule.

The school announced its decision around 3:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

“We are extremely grateful to the Holiday Bowl, students, fans, sponsors and the people of San Diego for their support this week,” said UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond. “We are deeply disappointed for our young men in the football program who have worked extremely hard for this opportunity. My heart goes out to them. The health and safety of our students will always be our North Star.”

The Bruins and Wolfpack were scheduled to play at Petco Park at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

“The UCLA statement makes it very clear that their inability to play was due to the protocols in place and not the virus itself,” Bowl Season executive director Nick Carparelli said in a text message to ESPN. “I feel bad for both teams and for the great people at the Holiday Bowl who have worked so hard all year for today. This continues to be a very sad and frustrating situation.”

The Holiday Bowl is the fifth bowl game to be canceled due to COVID-19 issues with at least one of the participating teams, joining the Arizona Bowl, Hawai’i Bowl, Fenway Bowl and Military Bowl.

The Wolfpack, who were trying to win 10 games in one season for just the second time in the program’s history, are the fourth CCA team to have their bowl game called off. Boston College, Virginia and Miami were unable to play in their matches due to issues related to COVID-19.

“Heartbroken not to be able to compete once again this season,” NC State said in a statement.

The Hurricanes were scheduled to face Washington State in Friday’s Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, but were forced to pull out. The Michigan center will now face the Cougars following Boise State’s withdrawal from the Arizona Bowl.

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