ON THE SIDELINES : Huskies Dogged by the Measles

There will be a kickoff in Harrisonburg, Va., on Saturday. But the team Northeastern University puts on the field against James Madison will be missing 20 players, including nine starters, because of a measles outbreak that has forced state health authorities to forbid travel outside Massachusetts.

Among the missing players for the Huskies (3-7) will be running back Harold Scott, Northeastern’s all-time rushing leader. The Dukes (5-4-1) will be near full strength.

“We will be playing under conditions that I find hard to believe,” said Coach Paul Pawlak. “But we will honor our commitment to play.”

The decision came after Northeastern Athletic Director Irwin Cohen and James Madison Athletic Director Dean Ehlers were unable to reach agreement on moving the game to Parsons Field, the Huskies’ home stadium.

“We here certainly know where Northeastern is coming from. That’s for sure. But we had to weigh other things,” Ehlers said. “. . . This will be the last home game for our seniors, and we always have a ceremony for our senior players.”