The Nebraska football team has released its version of why the game Saturday was canceled but now Akron has given its official statement.
Earlier Sunday, the Nebraska football team and the athletic program released a statement attempting to explain why Saturday’s game couldn’t be played. Unsurprisingly, the statement claimed the Huskers were ready and willing to make it work and the Zips were the ones who backed out.
On Sunday evening, Akron released its own version of events and … basically confirmed what Nebraska had been saying. Athletic director Larry Williams released a statement that included talk about the inability to secure accommodation in and around Lincoln.
Williams added that the only accommodations they would have been able to get would have split the team up. Apparently having the team in multiple locations would have not been “in the best interests of our team.”
Akron AD Larry Williams releases a statement explaining why Akron chose not to stick around.
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 3, 2018
As it relates to accommodations it’s worth noting that NU was exploring using on campus dorms to House the team. pic.twitter.com/XyrnfKanNC
This comes on the heels of reports that Nebraska was so keen on getting the game in that they were looking at possibly finding dorm rooms or other on-campus housing in order to get Akron to play the game on Sunday.
Williams also said that the Zips and Huskers are still talking about finding a way to play the game. That would mean a week 14 matchup.
Williams made it clear that so far the talks have only been if the teams need another game in order to become bowl eligible. It’s not clear if Akron would agree to travel all the way to Lincoln if they had week 14 free but didn’t need it to try and get to a bowl.
If other reports are accurate, it would appear the Zips have the Huskers between a rock and a hard place. Those reports state the contract between Nebraska and Akron made the money the Cornhuskers offered to play the game, guaranteed once it kicked off.
If that’s the case, then it’s a monumental good to have allowed the game to start, considering the weather that was already in the area. The game was delayed and eventually canceled immediately after the opening kick.
Akron could now ask for an additional payout in order to make a return trek to Lincoln. One has to wonder if they would almost be able to hold the Nebraska football season hostage.