For three years in a row, inclement weather elsewhere has forced a relocation of LSU games to Louisiana — this time, to New Orleans.
BYU-LSU becomes the latest Tigers game to relocate to Louisiana
The game, scheduled to be played in Houston, is moving to New Orleans.
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images
By Sunday, flooding from Hurricane Harvey in Texas had caused officials to consider relocating the LSU-BYU game from NRG Stadium in Houston:
Officials from both schools are meeting with ESPN on Sunday to discuss moving the game away from Houston’s NRG Stadium. Two potential relocation sites are LSU’s Tiger Stadium or New Orleans’ Mercedes-Benz Superdome. A source told SB Nation both schools are committed to playing the game Saturday in a different city. BYU does not allow its athletic teams to play on Sundays, per university policy in accordance with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
This marks the third time in three years weather has affected an away LSU game.
In 2016, Hurricane Matthew postponed and relocated LSU-Florida from Gainesville to Baton Rouge. Florida was supposed to host LSU last October, but it was postponed due to safety concerns. Then came weeks of public, ugly back-and-forth. Finally, the game was rescheduled to Nov. 19 at LSU, with the 2017 and 2018 games being scheduled for Gainesville. The Gators defeated the Tigers, 16-10.
In 2015, LSU’s game against South Carolina was moved from Columbia, S.C. to Baton Rouge due to flooding in the area, with the Tigers doing everything they could to make it feel like a Gamecocks home game. LSU won, and star Leonard Fournette announced he’d auction his game jersey for Carolina flood relief.
Weather frequently impacts LSU games. That’s one part of life near the Gulf Coast.
LSU’s spring game last April was suspended due to lightning. It was later finished in the indoor practice facility in front of just media members.
In 2015, LSU’s home opener against McNeese State was canceled due to lightning in Baton Rouge shortly after it began, following a delay of nearly four hours.
In 2005, hurricanes affected LSU’s schedule. The Tigers’ home game against North Texas was rescheduled from Sept. 3 to Oct. 29 due to Hurricane Katrina. The following week, LSU’s game against Arizona State was moved from Baton Rouge to Tempe, Ariz. LSU beat the Sun Devils, 35-31.
In the same year, LSU’s home game against Tennessee was moved to Monday, due to the impending threat of Hurricane Rita. The Vols beat the Tigers in overtime.
In 2008, Hurricane Gustav affected two LSU games. The Tigers’ home opener against Appalachian State was pushed up six hours to a 10 a.m. kickoff, and the Troy game scheduled for the week after was moved to Nov. 15. The Tigers won both games.
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