Due to Hurricane Dorian, the university’s football game against Bethune-Cookman University has been cancelled.

The game scheduled to take place on Saturday, Sept. 7 in Daytona Beach, Florida will not be rescheduled.

Devonte Williams, a senior running back, talked about the effect of the cancellation and how the team reacted.

“We as a unit understand that everything happens for a reason,” shared Williams. “The fact that the game got cancelled, there is a reason behind it. So, we’re going to just keep preparing for the next game day in and day out. Nothing can prepare you like an actual game can, but we just have to practice a little bit harder.”

Chason Virgil, a senior quarterback, shared how he felt after hearing of the cancellation.

“You feel sad because you want to get out there and be able to play on Saturday,” stated Virgil. “At the end of the day, it all comes down to safety. We have to make sure we are safe. If it is not safe for us to fly out there, then we shouldn’t be going out there. The other side of it is making sure Bethune-Cookman is safe as well. Praying for them that it doesn’t hit them at all, and they can get back to a normal season and normal school day. It’s always safety first, but as a competitor, you always want to be out there, and I am sure they wanted to play on Saturday too.”

Virgil discussed the benefits of the cancellation.

“You just gave us an extra week to prepare and rest our bodies a little bit,” said Virgil. “We get to look at Ole Miss film a little bit, but we are really going back to the training camp schedule as far as practice goes. We are getting to practice against the defense a little more and really go at it at practice.”

Frank Scelfo, head coach of football, explained how he reacted when he found out about the cancelled matchup against the Wildcats.

“You like the extra time to practice and get ready for Ole Miss, but there’s no substitute for a game and in-game experience,” commented Scelfo. “We understand why it’s cancelled, and that’s a heck of a deal what they’re going through over there. They felt that it was the best option to cancel the game. No one can judge their decision because that’s them, and no one goes what they’re going through over there.”

The Lions’ next game will be on the road against the University of Mississippi on Saturday Sept. 14 at 3 p.m.