VERMILLION, SD – The North Dakota state football game against the University of South Dakota, scheduled for Saturday, March 27, was canceled due to COVID-19 protocols, announced the NDSU athletics department early in the morning. Saturday.
The game will not be rescheduled.
NDSU athletic director Matt Larsen said Bison had a positive test on his trip, which includes student-athletes, coaches, managers and employees.
“I think it’s really disappointing,” said Larsen. “The room where the coach (Matt) Entz told the team, I think he spoke for himself, a lot of disappointment with the guys. This past year has been a challenge and a struggle in many ways and I am very proud of the way our guys have continued to prepare and be in a position where they can play. “
Larsen said Entz broke the news to the team before leaving his hotel in Sioux Falls on Saturday morning to take the bus to Vermillion for the game that was scheduled for 1 pm at the DakotaDome.
“Being so close, being a few hours away from a game and kind of getting it out from under you is difficult,” said Larsen. “I feel for the players in the first place. It is simply unfortunate. “
Larsen said the game was not rescheduled as the USD has already had a game canceled against Western Illinois. USD-Western Illinois is scheduled to be played on April 17, the weekend that the MVFC left open for makeup games this spring season.
The game became the second game at the Missouri Valley Football Conference affected by COVID-19 this weekend, along with the University of North Dakota game in Youngstown. The UND-Youngstown State game has been postponed until the end of this spring season.
The UND-Youngstown State game was canceled due to a positive COVID-19 test within UND Tier 1 personnel, according to a UND statement.
The bison ranked second (5-1, 4-1 MVFC) comes from a 34-13 win against UND last weekend. This is the first Bison game this spring that has been affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Bison’s next game is scheduled for South Dakota State at Fargodome on Saturday, April 3.
NDSU, SDSU and UND were tied for first place in the MVFC towards Saturday’s games. None of them are going to play this weekend. SDSU already had its game canceled this weekend due to the state of Illinois opting out of the spring season for health and safety reasons and increased injuries.
Check back for updates on this developing story.