Michigan vs. No. 18 Iowa game is canceled
An ongoing COVID-19 outbreak at Michigan has forced the Wolverines to cancel their football game at No. 18 Iowa on Saturday.
This will be the third straight game canceled. The Wolverines didn’t play Dec. 5 at home against Maryland or last week at No. 3 Ohio State.
The Michigan athletic department said in a statement the decision on the Iowa game was made after conversations among medical experts, health advisers and university administration.
Athletic director Warde Manuel said the team would be without a significant number of players because of COVID-19 and, coupled with attrition because of injuries, would not have enough players at multiple positions. He said there would be more than 50 players unavailable because of positive tests and contact tracing requirements.
As a result, Michigan concludes the COVID-19- shrtened season with a disappointing 2- 4 record. Michigan’s only two wins were a 49-14 thrashing over Minnesota in the season opener and a win in overtime at Rutgers.
Among the losses was a 27-24 setback at home against in-state rival Michigan State.
The biggest question for the Wolverines now is the status of head coach Jim Harbaugh, who will be entering the last year of a seven-year contract in 2021.
The early signing day for high school recruits begins Wednesday.
Manuel said Harbaugh’s status will be addressed at the end of the football season.