Advertisement

Florida-LSU football game postponed due to Hurricane Matthew path

By The Sports Xchange

Saturday's scheduled football game between LSU and No. 18 Florida in Gainesville, Fla., has been postponed due to Hurricane Matthew, the SEC announced Thursday.

The SEC and the schools will attempt to reschedule the game for later this season if possible.

Advertisement

"We had a very productive phone call today with a great spirit of cooperation between the universities' presidents and athletics directors and it became clear that the University of Florida could neither host nor travel to a game this weekend considering the circumstances," SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. "The developments of the hurricane in the last 24 hours, the projected magnitude of its impact and the unknown aftermath of this storm have resulted in this decision to seek another date to play the LSU-Florida game.

"We have to be sensitive to the possible imminent disruption to the state of Florida and in particular the Gainesville and surrounding area."

Prior to the postponement announcement, the schools and the conference considered playing the game at another location. LSU (3-2, 2-1 SEC) offered to host the game and also was willing to play at an alternate site.

Advertisement

Sankey said the weather and travel issues as well as unknown issues such as potential storm damage were factored into the decision. He also acknowledged the lack of available emergency personnel as a factor.

"The timing of this storm on a Friday and the uncertainly of its aftermath in the ensuing days make it particularly difficult to project the conditions for the remainder of the weekend as well as the opportunity for travel of teams and fans to or from Gainesville and other cities in Florida," Sankey said. "I am appreciative of the cooperation of our universities on this matter."

Florida (4-1, 2-1) had hoped to play the contest at home but athletic director Jeremy Foley said the ultimate decision is the correct one.

"We have worked all week with local, state, campus and conference officials," Foley said in a statement. "I know there will be a lot of opini

Latest Headlines