Edinboro University’s football players have not stepped foot on a field for an official NCAA game in more than 21 months.
New head coach Jake Nulph still has not made his head coaching debut since being hired in January 2020.
That long wait for Nulph and the Fighting Scots’ players will now last at least a week longer.
Edinboro’s scheduled season-opening game at Grand Valley State has been canceled after one Scots player tested positive for covid-19, according to Edinboro sports information director Alex Womer.
“In accordance with Erie County Health Department’s mandates for quarantine, student-athletes within the football program will not be released in time for the previously scheduled contest,” Womer stated. “We will provide updates as they become available.”
Edinboro was originally scheduled to play Thursday at Grand Valley, but the game was moved to Saturday because of the developing covid-19 issues. On Sunday, Grand Valley rescheduled the game for two days later before the teams finally canceled the game on Monday.
“We are obviously disappointed with the cancelation of the game,” said Grand Valley coach Matt Mitchell. “Our players were looking forward to getting back on the field for this game, but we will regroup and show the resilience this group has displayed over the last two years.”
Edinboro last played Nov. 16, 2019, when the Scots lost 20-17 at Bloomsburg to complete a 3-8 season under former coach Wayne Bradford.
Nulph was hired as the Scots’ head coach in January 2020 but has yet to coach a game because of the pandemic. Edinboro canceled its 2020 season and did not schedule games for last spring when other D-II teams, including Gannon and Mercyhurst, opted to play an abbreviated schedule.
Edinboro’s opener is now scheduled for noon Sept. 11 at Sox Harrison Stadium against Shippensburg.
The Scots have not played a home game since a 27-20 victory over Clarion on Nov. 2, 2019.
