Florida-LSU game postponed because of Hurricane Matthew

Schools, SEC will work to reschedule game

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida Gators won't play football this weekend because of Hurricane Matthew.

Southeastern Conference and school officials said Thursday that Saturday's game between Florida and Louisiana State in Gainesville has been postponed.

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"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," SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. "We have to be sensitive to the possible imminent disruption to the state of Florida and, in particular, the Gainesville and surrounding area."

Several options were discussed, including moving the game to another site or having LSU host. But the threat of damage from the storm, lack of available emergency personnel and the uncertainty of the impact of the storm on people, facilities and travel necessitated a postponement.

"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."

The schools and the SEC will work to reschedule the game, although the Gators and Tigers do not have a common open date.

Options for making up the game could include moving other games on the teams' schedules.

"I know there will be a lot of opinions about how we came to this conclusion and when we came to the conclusion, but this is the right decision," Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley said.


About the Author:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.