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SMU hasn’t won a bowl game in nearly a decade. Turns out, after winning eight games this regular season, the Mustangs won’t have the chance to end that drought.
The inaugural Fenway Bowl between SMU and Virginia was canceled on Sunday because of COVID-19 issues, multiple sources told The Dallas Morning News. College football reporter Brett McMurphy first reported the news.
It’s the second season in a row SMU’s bowl game was canceled due to COVID-19.
“I’m disappointed for our fans, and even more disappointed for our players, that we will be unable to play in a bowl game for the second straight season,” SMU athletic director Rick Hart said in a statement Sunday. “We are, however, sympathetic to Virginia’s situation, having had to withdraw from our bowl last season due to COVID. We hope those impacted get well soon.
“I want to offer a special thank you to our seniors, who unfortunately played their final collegiate games not knowing at the time that it was their last time wearing an SMU uniform. This group went 25-10 over the past three seasons, tying for the most wins by an FBS team in Texas, with three straight bowl berths. These student-athletes ushered in a new era of Mustang Football, and we all owe them a great debt of gratitude.”
The Fenway Bowl said refunds will be provided to fans who purchased tickets within 14 business days.
SMU is not expected to find another opponent this bowl season, according to sources, meaning the Mustangs will finish the season 8-4.
Sources: Fenway Bowl between SMU and Virginia is canceled due to COVID-19 issues at Virginia. @Brett_McMurphy was first to report the cancelation. SMU is having a team meeting at 10:30 CST to discuss the news.
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) December 26, 2021
It’s the third bowl game that’s been canceled and the second one on Sunday. The American Athletic Conference has been involved in all three cancelations, though COVID-19 issues were with their opponents.
Memphis traveled to Hawaii to play Hawaii but that game was canceled. The Military Bowl between East Carolina and Boston College was also canceled on Sunday, according to reports.
Nearly 20 bowl games were canceled a year ago.
The Fenway Bowl was going to be coached by defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt while new SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee saved his debut for next year’s season opener.
“I want to congratulate our players and staff on their outstanding season and I want to thank Coach Leavitt and the other coaches and staff for their efforts over the past few weeks in keeping the focus on our players and their student-athlete experience,” Hart said in a statement Sunday.
On Sunday, after the news of the bowl game cancelation broke, Leavitt tweeted a goodbye to SMU.
“SMU is a special place,” wrote Leavitt, who isn’t expected to return after SMU hired Liberty defensive coordinator Scott Symons to the same position. “Met so many great people. Players were the best. Headed to Tampa to see what the Lord has in store for me. Excited about the future!”
SMU was scheduled to travel to Boston for the Fenway Bowl on Sunday, but those travel plans were canceled because Virginia was still awaiting results from COVID-19 testing, according to multiple sources.
Virginia had to postpone its travel plans to the Fenway Bowl twice, including Sunday morning, according to The Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Virginia, according to a written statement, had players that displayed COVID-19 symptoms in the days leading up to the team’s original departure date for Boston. Those players tested positive. Virginia then tested the entire team on Saturday and found additional positive tests, forcing Sunday’s cancelation.
“We are extremely disappointed the team will not be able to participate in the inaugural Fenway Bowl,” Virginia athletics director Carla Williams said in a statement. “Playing this game was something our team very much looked forward to and it is unfortunate Coach [Bronco] Mendenhall will not have one last opportunity to coach this group.
“We want to thank the Fenway Bowl and its staff for their preparation to host the game and for their communication with us over the past few days. We appreciate all of the hard work by our team and coaching staff. They earned this bowl invitation, and it is unfortunate they will not be able to compete in the game to complete the season. We regret how this also impacts our fans who were planning on attending the game as well as the SMU program and its fans.”
The cancelation means SMU’s seniors -- a group that’s put together the best run at SMU since before The Death Penalty -- won’t be able to accomplish the final goal they had for their careers. The last time SMU won a bowl game was 2012, when the June Jones-led Mustangs defeated Fresno State in the Hawaii Bowl, 43-10.
“It would mean everything to get a ring,” senior offensive lineman Alan Ali said before the regular season finale, “and celebrate in the locker room one more time.”
It turns out they wouldn’t get the chance.
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