They have to feed the beluga whales, tour the navy aircraft carrier and see the final zone on the baseball field painted in group colors.
They did not come to play football.
About five hours before departure, UCLA Bruins Learned of them Holiday bowl fit No. 18 was canceled Tuesday morning against the state of North Carolina due to deterioration in Petco Park Covit-19 issues With bruins.
The late announcement touched on anger and conspiracy theories among the Wolfpack, with coach Dave Doren describing the lack of contact from UCLA with the possibility of the Bruins not being able to play.
“To be honest, it felt like a lie,” Doran told reporters at the Team Hotel. “We felt as if UCLA knew something was going on and did not tell anyone on our side. We did not know they were against it.
UCLA Athletics Director Martin Jormond posted on Twitter that the team was still playing until Tuesday, prompting new test results to help the Bruins’ medical staff decide it was unsafe to move forward in the game.
“I’re really disappointed with everyone involved in this game,” Jormond wrote.
The Bruins were particularly thin on the defensive line, with Odito Okbonia out of action while recovering from injury and it was expected that Tyler Manova and Jay Toya would not be available. In addition, defender Quandres Knight and offensive lineman Adonio Mafi did not play in the game.
“We are deeply disappointed for our youth at the football event that worked so hard for this opportunity,” UCLA Athletics Director Martin Jormond said in a statement. “My heart goes out to them. The health and safety of our students will always be our northern star.
The Bruins were particularly thin on the defensive line, with Odito Okbonia out of action while recovering from injury and Tyler Manova and Jay Toya said they could not play on social media. In addition, defender Quandres Knight and offensive lineman Adonio Mafi were caught up in the Covit-19 protocol.
“Can we play 7 in 7?” Has tweeted that Melva Thompson-Robinson, Mother of UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Dorian tweeted: “It’s a terrible way for this team to end such a great year. It’s a team of very special guys.”
This is the fifth post-season game that has been canceled due to problems with the virus joining Arizona, Fenway, Hawaii and the military bowls. Gator and Sun Balls are expected to play in the coming days only after the alternative teams have agreed to take the places of those forced to withdraw.
The NC State players, trying to claim their 10th win for the second time in 137 years of school football, did not hide their disappointment as the game was stopped by a short notice and the team lost the chance to find another opponent.
“Our team has been preparing for this for a month with family and friends,” tweeted Aaron McLaughlin, Wallback back quarterback. “We’ve been training here for 5 days and we’re at the Christmas hotel having to cancel it 5 hours before the kickoff? We deserve better.
“At this point it’s not a game, it’s a messy holiday for every person involved in both ends. UCLA and NC State.”
Wolfpack receiver Thayer Thomas suggested on Twitter that the Bruins withdrew from the game after voting not to play, which was immediately denied by several UCLA players.
“There is no vote on whether we can play or not,” said Bruins attack lineman Paul Croton Jr. “Now guys create products for likes and retweets. Like you and my family flew across the country. Everyone wanted to play this game.
Prior to the game, Bruins coach Chip Kelly said his team Best try to play Despite the challenges posed by the rapidly spreading Omicron variant of the corona virus that has led to college and pro sports across the country.
“Our whole mood is always there. If we have 11 people, we’ve going to play,” Kelly said, noting the number of players needed on each side of the ball.
Kelly said the team’s unvaccinated players were tested this week, and those who developed symptoms before the start were given additional tests. In an effort to create a post-season look for the school after the 2017 Cactus Bowl, the Bruins have long held outdoor activities and preventive measures such as seating at least six feet apart.
“We talk a lot with our players about protecting the environment. We’re proud to have played in every one of our games a year ago and the pride goes to our players,” Kelly said. Yes, apparently there have been incidents on our campus – our basketball team has canceled games, our girls basketball team games have been canceled, so our players are doing the best job they can.
The Bruins (8-4), who missed out on a chance to record their most impressive win under Kelly, will end their season in a three-game winning streak where they played their best football. They rallied from a 13-point deficit 37 unanswered points Against Colorado before dropping a record 62 points in rival USC And posting Beat California 42-14.
Now the only play left is waiting to see who will use the remaining merit. Among the team’s leading players, Thomson-Robinson, Zach Charbonnat, left-arm sean Sean Ryan, white receiver Kyle Phillips and safety Quentin Lake have all been selected to come back, somewhat driven by the chance for a better finish.
“Very unfortunate,” Lake tweeted about the cancellation. “Sorry fans. Sorry for the whole Bruin nation. I hate it ending like this. ”
