BC vs. Boise State First Responder Bowl Canceled Due to Severe Weather

Bad weather conditions in the Dallas area caused the 2018 First Responder Bowl between Boston College and Boise State to be canceled.

Per an announcement on Twitter, the game will officially be ruled a no-contest.

Per an official release from Anna Negron of ESPN Media Zone, First Responder Bowl executive director Brant Ringler explained the decision to cancel the game.

"In the interest of safety for our teams and fans, the 2018 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl was unable to be continued," Ringler said. "The decision was made after lengthy consultation with emergency personnel, both universities, ESPN and Cotton Bowl Stadium staff."

Both head coaches expressed their disappointment at not being able to play but also understood the decision that was made. 

"Those guys wanted to play," Boise State head coach Bryan Harsin said. "When you are a player, you are set to play. We made a sound decision, we had to make a decision and that is what you do. That is bigger than playing in the game. You have to make sure you make the right choices for your student-athletes.”

Boston College head coach Steve Addazio admitted he's never seen anything like what happened:

"This is a first, and I've never seen it before. I don't second guess anything about it. It is a first and it is disappointing, however, the decision was made for the right reasons and that is the welfare of both teams players and I totally understand that. I appreciate the fact the bowl put our and Boise's players ahead of a lot of other things. I am not sure how many can do that. I am very appreciative for that."

Boston College was leading 7-0 in the first quarter after AJ Dillon's 19-yard touchdown. A lightning strike near the Cotton Bowl forced a delay of at least 30 minutes with five minutes remaining in the opening quarter.

As the delay moved past an hour, another round of lightning hit the area. That led representatives from both teams to meet with game officials to discuss options before the decision was made to cancel the contest:

Per Weather.com, the forecast in Dallas calls for thunderstorms all day with the percentage of precipitation dropping under 50 percent after 1 a.m. local time.

Boston College finished with a 7-5 record, and Boise State posted its third straight 10-win season.