UMass officially canceled its fall season on Tuesday morning, becoming the third individual program to do so and the 27th overall to pull the plug at the FBS level.
The Minutemen had lost games with UConn (Sept. 3), Albany (Sept. 19), New Mexico (Oct. 3), Akron (Oct. 17) and Auburn (Nov. 14), with more likely coming. It was those external factors that likely shut down UMass; it wasn't because the Minutemen failed to control the virus within their own walls.
In a heartbreaking letter shared after the cancelation was announced UMass head coach Walt Bell reported the program has conducted 607 returned tests with one positive case -- who happened to bring the virus with them from home.
"Throughout this entire process," Bell wrote, "our players have been incredibly invested. Our UMass Football parents have been incredibly understanding and supportive as well. The future of UMass Football is going to be special."