FARGO – Illinois football coach Brock Spack seemed hesitant about the Missouri Valley Football Conference season when asked about it a few weeks ago. Sunday night, the Redbirds made a firm statement.
They are out.
ISU announced on its football website that it was choosing not to participate in the remaining three games, citing the health and safety of its players and to ensure that the team is ready to play in the fall. The Redbirds were hit particularly hard with injuries to the defensive line.
“I struggled with that decision for a few weeks, but I think it is a necessary measure to protect the health and safety of our player and his ability to be ready this fall,” said Spack in a statement. “Injuries in key positions, especially in the defensive line where we suffered two more setbacks yesterday, made it almost impossible for us to play this week and extremely difficult for us to compete in the remaining four games. We appreciate all the support and hard work done by so many in the Department of Athletics at ISU and on campus to take us to this point during these challenging times. “
The state of Illinois ended its spring season with a 26-18 victory over Western Illinois on Saturday. Their closure means that the state of South Dakota will not receive the Redbirds on Saturday.
ISU had remaining home games against North Dakota and Southern Illinois and a makeup road game in the state of Missouri.