Mike Leach on Minnesota’s Holiday Bowl boycott threat: ‘I ignore 100 percent of that’

PULLMAN – Mike Leach says he will not change anything about Washington State’s preparation for its Holiday Bowl matchup against Minnesota, even as the Golden Gophers threaten to boycott the game.

“I ignore 100 percent of that,” Leach said. “There’s always drama this time of year. Historically, your best bet is to assume everybody is playing.”

UM players announced Thursday night they are boycotting all football activities in response to the suspension of 10 teammates. The suspensions are the result of a university investigation into an alleged sexual assault that occurred in September.

The suspended players include regular contributors in the defensive secondary.

Wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky read a statement by the players that said: “The boycott will remain effective until due process is followed and suspensions for all 10 players involved are lifted.”

Athletic director Mark Coyle and university president Eric W. Kaler released a joint statement of their own that read: “We understand that a lot of confusion and frustration exists as a result of this week’s suspension of 10 Gopher football players from all team activities. The reality is that not everyone can have all of the facts, and unfortunately the University cannot share more information due to federal laws regarding student privacy.”

The Holiday Bowl executivie director Mark Neville issued a statement that read: “We are continuing to prepare for the National Funding Holiday on December 27, however, we are aware of the situation at the University of Minnesota and are monitoring it closely.”

The Cougars should know soon whether or not they will play the Golden Gophers or another opponent. ESPN’s Brett McMurphy reported that a decision will be made within two days to play, or the Holiday Bowl will instead host Northern Illinois. NIU has the highest Academic Progress Rate score of the teams that did not qualify for bowl games.

However, NIU has not been practicing and will need to recall to campus any players that have left for the holidays.

WSU returned to the practice field on Thursday after taking a break for final exams. However, the Cougars have not yet begun game preparations and are not expected to begin scouting their opponent until this weekend.