Cal’s season is over after final game vs. Arizona is canceled

The final game vs. Arizona is called off by Pac-12

Cal’s disappointing football season ended Sunday in the most disappointing fashion imaginable.

Hours after learning they would play host to Arizona in their Pac-12 finale, the Bears were told the game was canceled and their season was over. The Pac-12 made the announcement at 6 p.m., saying neither team would have enough scholarship players to play as a result of COVID-19 protocols.

“Our heart goes out to all the student- athletes who put in so much preparation and time to play the game they love,” Cal coach Justin Wilcox said in a statement released by the school. “We are disappointed that we are not able to host Arizona, but I am proud of our team and what we have been able to accomplish under difficult and unprecedented circumstances this season.”

Wilcox paid tribute to his seniors “for their hard work, dedication and leadership throughout their Cal careers. They truly are a special group of studentathletes who have helped build our program. We have a bright future, and we are looking forward to preparing for 2021.”

Coming off an eight-win season, Cal was picked to finish second in the Pac-12 North. Instead, the Bears went 1- 3 and had four games canceled.

Their most recent cancellation — before Sunday — came 80 minutes before kickoff Saturday at Washington State. A positive COVID-19 test and associated contact tracing left Cal short of scholarship players.

The Bears returned to the Bay Area on Saturday and learned Sunday morning they would be playing Arizona next weekend. But unlike the other five matchups announced by the Pac12, the Cal-Arizona game was without a time, date or television designation.

That was a concession to the possibility that became a reality several hours later.