UNH linebacker Oleh Manzyk takes off after a UAlbany turnover in the lone football game the Wildcats will have played this spring, back on March 5, after they decided to cancel the rest of the season on Tuesday.(Photo courtesy of UNH Athletics)

DURHAM – The University of New Hampshire Department of Athletics announced Tuesday that the Wildcat football team has opted out of its remaining two games of the spring 2021 season due to ongoing COVID-19 issues within the program.

UNH had been scheduled to play at home this Saturday, April 10, against Stony Brook (12 p.m.) and at Maine on Saturday, April 17 (2 p.m.). The CAA has officially cancelled both those games.

UNH opened the special spring season on March 5 with a 24-20 loss to UAlbany at Wildcat Stadium. The Wildcats had a bye week but then saw their next three scheduled games postponed, including at Rhode Island this past weekend, due to COVID-related issues.

“I am so proud of our guys for working their tails off to be prepared to play football this spring and to compete the way they did when we faced Albany on March 5,” head coach Sean McDonnell said. “We followed the safety protocols to the best of our abilities, dealt with the starts-and-stops that come with COVID, and never wavered in our commitment to play football.”

“But like so many other programs around the country, the virus took its toll on us,” McDonnell added. “I am constantly reminded that the virus controls us, we don’t control it. While I am very disappointed for the team, their families, and our staff, I know in my heart that sometimes the right decision is the hardest decision.”