Military Bowl canceled: ECU, Boston College seasons end early after COVID issues

East Carolina will have to wait longer before playing in its first bowl game since the 2014 season. The Pirates’ Monday meeting with Boston College in the Military Bowl has been canceled due to COVID-19 issues within the Eagles’ program.

“Unfortunately, due to cases of COVID-19 rising within our program since our arrival, along with season-ending injuries, opt outs and transfers, we just do not have enough players to field a team,” Boston College athletics director Pat Kraft said Sunday in an official statement. “We are disappointed not to be able to finish the season together as a team, but the health and safety of our program is our highest priority.”

The game was scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Monday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md.

“This is painful to digest,” East Carolina football coach Mike Houston said. “I’m hurting for the young men representing our football program. We are crushed that we can’t compete on Monday and allow our seniors one final opportunity to wear the Pirates uniform. Everybody involved with our program has persevered through adversity over the past two years during this pandemic, so it was extremely difficult to tell them the 2021 season is complete.

“This is a special group of young men who will be remembered for their hard work, sacrifice and determination to restore the prominence of our football program.”

Houston, in his third season, led the Pirates to a 7-5 record, including a 5-3 finish in the American Athletic Conference. Monday’s game would have been the program’s first bowl game since falling to Florida, 28-20, in the Birmingham Bowl at the end of the 2014 season.

ECU’s seven wins this season were also the program’s most since winning eight games in 2014.

“Boston College AD Pat Kraft and I have been in communication the last two days, and he phoned me a short time ago to inform me the Eagles would not be able to participate in the Military Bowl due to COVID-19,” ECU athletics director Jon Gilbert said.” We are obviously very disappointed to not be able to play the game. Our student-athletes, coaches and staff have worked tirelessly for the opportunity to represent ECU in a bowl game. Pirate Nation responded and were planning to paint Annapolis purple and gold. Unfortunately, we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, but our priority remains the health and safety of our student-athletes.”

This story was originally published December 26, 2021 at 12:36 PM.