Burman: ‘I did everything possible’ to schedule regional game

LARAMIE -- Tom Burman penned a personal note to Wyoming fans, players, media and students just before 9 a.m. Thursday morning.

The Cowboys' athletic director didn't sugarcoat it -- he's frustrated.

Less than 24 hours prior, Burman learned that Wyoming's Thursday night opponent, Utah State, was canceling "due to an upward trend of COVID-19 cases" within the football program.

Utah State is the second straight team to cancel on the Cowboys. Air Force was also supposed to travel to Laramie Nov. 14. Coronavirus concerns at the academy was also listed as the culprit.

"With USU canceling our game Wednesday, I did everything possible to secure a regional opponent to play in (War Memorial Stadium)," Burman's letter starts. "I wanted our players to have a chance to compete! They deserve it!! Unfortunately, nobody wanted to play. I am frustrated and disappointed. I appreciate our players focus on staying healthy and beg them to stay focused, while preparing to play again! #wejustwanttoplay"

Wyoming's next game on the schedule could be in serious jeopardy, too.

Craig Bohl and Co. are scheduled to travel to Las Vegas to take on the Rebels Friday, Nov. 27. UNLV, however, was forced to cancel its game against Colorado State this Saturday because of COVID-19 concerns on its team.

UNLV Director of Athletics Desiree Reed-Francois released this statement Wednesday.

“Based on four positive COVID-19 test results in our football program, the resulting contact tracing, and consulting with our medical and epidemiology experts, UNLV will not travel this weekend for its scheduled game at Colorado State and has informed the Mountain West and Colorado State," Reed-Francois said.

Utah State didn't release a statement or figures.

When it comes to the "regional opponents" Burman referred to, he wasn't specific.

Colorado State, Wyoming's Border War rival, now has a free weekend. The two teams -- which are less than 70 miles away -- already met this season. That was a 34-24 CSU win Nov. 5 in Fort Collins.

A game between Arizona State and Colorado that was scheduled to take place in Boulder Saturday has also been canceled because of COVID-19 issues on the Sun Devils' football team.

Boulder is located 146 miles south of Laramie.

So far, 14 FBS games have been canceled or postponed this week.