Boise State withdrew from the Barstool Arizona Bowl because of COVID-19 issues within the football program, the school announced on Monday.
The Broncos were set to face Central Michigan on Friday in Tucson, Arizona. Central Michigan arrived in Tucson on Sunday and practiced earlier Monday. Hours after Boise State announced its decision, however, Central Michigan elected to withdraw as well and agreed to instead play in Friday's Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.
With its release from the Arizona Bowl, via the Mid-American Conference, Central Michigan will replace Miami in the Sun Bowl and take on Washington State. The Hurricanes, citing COVID-19 issues in the program, withdrew from the bowl Sunday.
Washington State athletic director Pat Chun said in a statement that the Pac-12 and Sun Bowl were working to secure a replacement opponent for the Cougars, and with the Chippewas already practicing and already on the road away from campus, there was a fit.
The Arizona Bowl is the fifth bowl to be impacted by COVID-19 cases and other roster issues within participating programs. The Military and Fenway bowls were canceled earlier this week, while the Gator Bowl replaced Texas A&M with Rutgers after the Aggies withdrew.
Boise State finished its season at 7-5. The Broncos were third in the Mountain West Mountain Division at 5-3.
"We feel for the young men in our program who were very much looking forward to closing out their season, and for some, their football careers," Boise State athletic director Jeramiah Dickey said in the school's news release.