Drake forfeits football game due to COVID-19 issues

A football game between Drake and Stetson set for Saturday in Des Moines was canceled Thursday due to coronavirus concerns among Drake personnel.

The Drake University athletics department said in a news release that the Pioneer Football League canceled the game because of "COVID-19 issues within Drake's Tier I personnel, which consists of student-athletes, coaches, managers, and staff."

Drake medical staff and university administrators were involved in the decision.

Under the league's rules, Drake will forfeit the game. Coronavirus-related game cancellations at the college level have been rare this season.

Teams in the Pioneer Football League participate in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision.