YOUNGSTOWN — An odd, somewhat frustrating season came to abrupt end for the Youngstown State football team Wednesday.

The Missouri Valley Football Conference announced the cancellation of the Penguins’ final game, which was set for Saturday against league rival North Dakota. According to a statement by the MVFC, the Penguins, who played more league games than any other team, “determined earlier today they could not play the game.” No other specifics were given by the MVFC or YSU, which also posted a news release.

“The efforts by our team and staff throughout this entire year have been incredible,” YSU coach Doug Phillips said in the release. “To play seven games this spring says a lot about their passion for football and commitment to our program. We look forward to finishing off this semester strong academically and will continue to work hard to be ready to go when fall camp starts in just three months.”

The Penguins, who finished the season 1-6, were originally supposed to play the sixth-ranked Fighting Hawks (4-1) on March 27, but the game was postponed because of a positive COVID-19 test within the UND program.

Read more in Thursday’s Vindicator.