LSU got an unexpected quasi-open date when its game at Florida last Saturday was postponed due to the threat from Hurricane Matthew.
The SEC is attempting to reschedule the game, but the options are limited and the chances of the game ever being made up seem slim.
Officials from both schools and the SEC monitored the storm all week and for much of the week seemed optimistic that the game would be played in Gainesville, though perhaps at a different time or even on a different day. But everything fell apart on Thursday when it was announced — after four delays to the announcement — that the game was being postponed ahead of the killer storm.
“LSU made every attempt to try to play this game,” Tigers athletic director Joe Alleva said. “We offered to go to Gainesville on Sunday. We offered to fly in there Sunday morning, play the game and fly back Sunday night. We offered the opportunity for them to come here Saturday or Sunday to play the game. We made every opportunity to play it.
“Ultimately, the decision was made by the league office and we respect that. I have to — you know, we have to respect safety. You have to respect Florida’s concern about safety and travel.”
Alleva, whose school hosted South Carolina on a week’s notice last season after the game was moved from Columbia because of severe flooding there, said the Tigers were “very disappointed.” “We wanted to play the game,” he said. “Our players wanted to play the game. I personally wanted to play the game.”
LSU and Florida do not have a mutual open date the rest of the season, though they do both have non-conference games on Nov. 19, which creates the possibility of buying out the opponents but that would require the Tigers forfeiting a home game. The Tigers are scheduled to host South Alabama and the Gators are scheduled to host Presbyterian.
“One thing that we’re going to hold very firm on is that we have a home game November 19th, and we’re going to have a home game on November 19th,” Alleva said Monday. “We are going to have a home game on November 19th. We are not going change that situation.”
The most pressing issue for interim coach Ed Orgeron is Southern Mississippi, LSU’s non-conference opponent Saturday night in Tiger Stadium.
Orgeron learned moments before Thursday’s practice that the game against Florida would not happen as scheduled.
“It was like daddy walked in, but no Christmas — it was Christmas Day and there was no Christmas presents. That’s how I felt,” Orgeron said. “You’ve got to turn it into a positive. They get some rest, much needed.”
After the team practice Thursday, Orgeron gave the players the weekend off and the coaches went recruiting, treating the weekend like a normal open date.
The change to the schedule overshadowed preparations for Orgeron’s and the Tigers second game since the firing of head coach Les Miles.
In their first game since Miles was fired after 11-plus seasons as head coach, the Tigers were outstanding in all three phases of a 42-7 victory against Missouri on Oct. 1 in Tiger Stadium. LSU improved to 3-2 and 2-1 in the SEC.
Against Missouri, LSU accumulated 634 yards — its most ever against an SEC team — including 418 rushing.
If the game against Florida is not made up it will replace from eight to seven the number of regular-season games that Orgeron has an audition to become the permanent replacement for Miles.
“I have full confidence in Coach Orgeron and what he’s doing in the team,” Alleva said. “The spirit is terrific. The kids are excited, even though they are very disappointed about not playing this game and I’m looking forward to the next games — I don’t know how many we’re going to play, so we’ll see.”
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
–Sophomore RB Derrius Guice has become a bigger factor in the offense in Leonard Fournette’s absence and that could continue once Fournette returns. Fournette has missed two games this season (vs. Jacksonville State and Missouri) because of a sprained ankle and in each game Guice started and rushed for more than 150 yards. He had three touchdowns against Missouri and look for him to be a major factor against Southern Mississippi even if Fournette returns.
–Sophomore WR D.J. Chark has been the biggest beneficiary of LSU’s attempt to go deeper into its wide receiver corps than just starters Travin Dural and Malachi Dupre. Chark had three coaches for 58 yards against Missouri and the Tigers have also gotten him the ball on running plays in recent games.
–DL Devin Godchaux had an impact against Missouri with a sack and a quarterback hurry. He was reinstated for that game after being suspended but not missing any game action. The suspension came two weeks ago after Godchaux was arrested and charged with domestic battery/child endangerment and false imprisonment. The charges were dropped by the East Baton Rouge Sherriff’s Office the next day and Godchaux returned to the team a day after that.
–S Jamal Adams has started to live up to expectations the last two games. Entering the season he was touted as one of the best safeties in the country but he had minimal impact in the first three games. After being more active against Auburn he was all over the field against Missouri and looked like he was ready to assume his anticipated role as one of the premier playmaker son the Tigers defense.