UPDATE: USF vs. UConn Football Cancelled

TAMPA, FL – With Hurricane Irma inching closer toward the west coast of Florida, USF and UConn agreed to cancel its scheduled football game set for Saturday.

While the game was scheduled to take place in Storrs, Conn., the game was canceled because of the severe threat posed to the state, the impediment to the safe travel for USF and consideration the players and their family members, according to a release from the school.

"As I noted in my comments (on Wednesday, Sept. 6), the safety and well-being of our students, staff and coaches is our paramount concern," said Mark Harlan, USF's athletic director. "Several large areas of the state are under evacuation orders, including portions of the Tampa Bay area. After consultation with university leadership and outside agencies, I believe it is not appropriate for our team to travel at this time."

Before Hurricane Irma began tracking more to the west, the schools originally planned to move the game up 90 minutes to 10:30 a.m. The American Athletic Conference office and the two schools made the move to allow USF’s team enough time to safely return to Tampa. Hurricane Irma's updated trajectory forced the cancellation.

“I want to extend our gratitude to the University of Connecticut and the American Athletic Conference for their compassion and understanding," Harlan said. "Our thoughts are with all of those impacted by the hurricane."

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