Arizona Wildcats react to Utah game being canceled

Photo by Mike Christy/Arizona Athletics

To say the Arizona Wildcats are disappointed about their season opener at Utah being canceled is an understatement.

The Pac-12 announced Friday afternoon it had approved a request by Utah to cancel the game due to the Utes not having the minimum number of scholarship athletes available to play. The game has been declared a no contest, and is unlikely to be made up.

Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke released a statement shortly after the cancellation was announced:

“Arizona Athletics respects the Pac-12 Conference’s approval of Utah’s request to cancel our football game in Salt Lake City in accordance with the Pac-12’s game cancellation policy. Our football program and athletics department have worked incredibly hard in preparation to take the field on Saturday.

“I could not be more disappointed that our players, coaches and staff will be unable to experience game day, which they have prepared months for. With that said, health and safety must continue to be our guiding principles throughout these uncertain times.

“Our athletics department and football program will continue to move forward with those guiding principles at the forefront as we prepare to host USC next weekend.”

Both Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News and Christian Caple of The Athletic have reported that Arizona and Washington attempted to arrange a game against each other—Washington’s opener at Cal was canceled on Thursday—but no agreement could be made.

Arizona is now scheduled to open the 2020 season on Nov. 14 at home against USC. Special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer is already preparing for that matchup:

Control what you can control, On to the next one #BearDown ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/D3ZjFSXrxI

— Jeremy Springer (@CoachSpringerST) November 6, 2020

Strength and conditioning coach Brian Johnson also weighed in on Twitter:

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react‼️ ‍♂️ #beardown pic.twitter.com/xziEuME5U6

— Brian G Johnson (@_coachbee1) November 6, 2020

Other reactions will be posted when/if they become available.

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