A Division II college football coach is unhappy with an opponent his team was set to play in the final week of the regular season. That matchup will no longer happen.
Kentucky State has cancelled a previously scheduled contest with Delta State just days before kickoff. That decision could have major playoff implications for both schools.
Coach Todd Cooley called out the Thorobreds’ cowardice in a press conference this week. He believes Kentucky State is worried about suffering a season-ending loss.
NEWS: Kentucky State backs out of its game this week against Delta State just days before kickoff.
Kentucky State signed the contract on July 14th.
“They’re supposed to be coming to Cleveland this weekend to play us, and they’re not,” head coach Todd Cooley.
: @DSUStatesmen pic.twitter.com/F2Mj6k2WE3
— Brad Logan (@BradLoganCOTE) November 11, 2025
“They’re supposed to be coming to Cleveland this weekend to play us, and they’re not,” Cooley said. “It’s baffling to me. It’s setting a precedent that should not be set.”
Kentucky State cancelled a college football game against Delta State.
The meeting has been on the books since July 14th. Kentucky State pulled out less than a week before kickoff. It will instead play the Shorter Hawks. The school provided reasoning, according to Cooley, but he isn’t buying the explanation.
“They’re telling us that they’ve got an agreement to play the third-place team in Conference Carolinas,” Cooley said. “Shorter is not the third-place team in Conference Carolinas. So, basically it’s just a deal for them to play an extra game.”
FB | It’s time to show out, Thorobred Nation!
Join us this Saturday, Nov. 15, as Kentucky State Football hosts the Shorter Hawks of the Conference Carolinas at 2 p.m. inside Alumni Stadium in Kentucky’s capital city — Frankfort!#KSUFB pic.twitter.com/5DLeUYKAhw
— Kentucky State University Football (@KYSUFB) November 10, 2025
There was one previously discussed exception that would’ve allowed the Thorobreds an out. Delta State agreed to nix the game if Kentucky State was playing in the SIAC Conference Championship Game. It is not.
Now, the Statesmen must either scramble to find a season-ending opponent or sit home for the final week of the year.
Why did the Thorobreds cancel the game?
Cooley insists the decision was made out of cowardice. Kentucky State couldn’t afford another loss. The team was not confident in its ability to beat Delta State.
“They’re playing a game, but they’re choosing not to play us,” Cooley continued. “I would think that if we beat ’em, they probably wouldn’t be in (the playoffs). Maybe that’s why they’re not playing us.”
The coach alluded to the potential playoff implications. Delta State needs help to get into the postseason field. At 7-3, it had hoped to bolster its resume with a big win over a strong opponent.
Kentucky State, meanwhile, is 8-2. A third loss could knock them out of the playoff hunt as an at-large bid. They’ve replaced the Statesmen with a two-win Shorter team.
Last season, 22 of the 28 Division II playoff teams had two losses or less. A 9-2 mark seems to be the record that keeps you safe for at-large selection.
At 8-3, the postseason odds go down. Kentucky State was not willing to take that risk. It has replaced a quality opponent with what should be an easy win at the last possible second.
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Mississippi Football Coach Denounces Cowardly Rival For Abrupt Cancellation Days Before Kickoff
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