It was a spirited night on March 5 when the UNH football team took the field at Wildcat Stadium for the first time since 2019. However, the Wildcats haven't played since and have cancelled the rest of their spring season. (Courtesy photo by China Wong/UNH Athleteics)

DURHAM — What’s next for the University of New Hampshire football?

Simple. A look ahead to a healthier, happier time.

“We will now concentrate on getting clear of the virus, getting stronger, getting better, and the ‘Cats will be ready to go full-bore this fall,” UNH football coach Sean McDonnell said Tuesday in a release by the university that announced it was opting out of the rest of the special spring season due to COVID-related issues in the program.

It certainly wasn’t an easy decision. But likely the correct one, given the fact UNH had to basically call off games with Delaware, Villanova and the University of Rhode Island due to pandemic issues. They returned to practice recently but suddenly had to cancel this past Saturday’s game at URI, a sign that the problem reared its ugly head once again.

“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,” McConnell 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, who will address the media today, added in the release. “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.”

The Wildcats’ only game was a home loss back in the chilly night air of March 5, 24-20 at the hands of UAlbany. Then came a bye week, but then suddenly a home game vs. Delaware was scrapped, along with a road game at Villanova.

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.

CAA Football Commissioner Joe D’Antonio issued a statement later in the day Tuesday.

“CAA Football respects and supports the difficult decision made by New Hampshire to opt out of the football season for the remainder of the spring,” he said. “New Hampshire’s scheduled games with Stony Brook on April 10 and Maine on April 17 have been cancelled and the Conference will announce any scheduling adjustments as necessary.”

The adjustmen the Wildcats will now make is to prepare for the fall, which they hope will be a better time.

(The UNH Athletic Communications Dept. contributed to this report.)