Hurricane Irma canceled the UCF versus Memphis football game that had already been moved back to Friday evening.
Hurricane Irma has forced officials to cancel the UCF football game against Memphis less than 24 hours before a rescheduled kickoff Friday, multiple sources confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel shortly after midnight Friday.
Memphis was already in Orlando, but the team returned home on a charter flight early Friday morning.
The Commercial-Appeal in Memphis was the first to report the game cancellation.
UCF officials announced the decision shortly after 7 a.m. Friday.
UCF, Memphis and American Athletic Conference officials collaborated to move the football game originally scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday to 6: 30 p.m. Friday to allow the Tigers to return to Memphis following the game. Late Thursday, officials decided the game had to be called off.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we agree that the game should not be played on Friday, ” UCF athletics director Danny White and Memphis athletics director Tom Bowen said in a joint statement. “We agree with Gov. [Rick] Scott that preparation for Hurricane Irma should be the top priority for the state. While our fans will no doubt be disappointed, we know they understand that safety has to come first.”
Amid storm preparation, UCF was working to make sure it didn’ t tax law enforcement and other emergency workers required to staff home games.
After Gov. Rick Scott announced all state universities and public schools would close Friday so that they could be converted into shelters, Florida State and UCF officials changed their original plans to squeeze in games ahead of the storm and ultimately canceled their home contests.
UF opted to cancel its game with Northern Colorado before Scott’s decision to close state universities.
USF canceled its trip to UConn after the game initially was moved to an earlier kickoff time Saturday morning. There was concern the Bulls could not safely return to Tampa in time to swiftly seek shelter after the game.
Miami previously called off its road trip to Arkansas State. The only Football Bowl Subdivision in-state colleges playing games this weekend are FAU and FIU. The Owls are playing at Wisconsin and the Panthers will host Alcorn State in Birmingham, Ala. FIU made arrangements with fellow Conference USA school UAB to house several sports team and help host the football game that originally was set to be played in Miami.
With no common bye weeks, it is unlikely the UCF game against Memphis will be rescheduled.
USF also is not expected to reschedule its matchup with UConn.
AAC division titles are determined by winning percentage in conference games and not a win-loss record, putting less pressure on the schools and league to reschedule the games.
“I greatly appreciate the flexibility and consideration Memphis and the American Conference has shown during this statewide emergency, ” White said. “I couldn’ t have asked for better partnership from Tom or [AAC] Commissioner [Mike] Aresco during this very difficult time for our state.”
UCF’s next game is against Georgia Tech on Sept. 16 at Spectrum Stadium.
UCF Head Coach Scott Frost and players discuss UCF’s 61-17 win over FIU at Spectrum Stadium on August 31,2017.
Predictions for UCF against FIU on College Football Now.
Preview tonight’s UCF vs. FIU matchup, and the big state games this Saturday: UF, hobbled by suspensions, face Michigan and powerhouses FSU, Alabama go head-to-head.
Otis Anderson discusses his development as a true freshman as he prepares to play in UCF’s season opener against FIU Thursday at Spectrum Stadium.
Emmanuel Greene discusses his development as a true freshman as he prepares to play in UCF’s season opener against FIU Thursday at Spectrum Stadium.
