“For the safety of fans and student-athletes, Louisiana Tech's game vs. Texas A&M has been postponed until Oct. 13.”
That was the tweet that ruined the opening week of college football for every A&M fan. It’s hard to fault Louisiana Tech officials. There are a large number of evacuees expected to be heading to the northern part of Louisiana, and Shreveport sits along interstate 20. In addition, current projects have the storm at still tropical storm force on Thursday evening near the Shreveport area.
However, this is not good news for the Aggies on several levels. Let’s just count them down.
- First, you’d like to have a game under your belt before taking on a team as talented as Florida, especially when they have a game.
- Howard Matthews and starting linebacker Steven Jenkins were supposed to be suspended for the game against La. Tech, but will now likely be suspended for Florida.
- Johnny Manziel will now have to make his first career start against one of the nation’s best defenses. However, that could also be a positive as Florida will have no idea what A&M is doing on either side of the ball.
- This is probably the biggest note, the Aggies will now play for twelve straight weeks this season without a break, and lose their important bye week before the LSU game.
- This is another game on an already grueling road stretch the goes from the end of September through mid-November. The Aggies play six games between their September 29th date with Arkansas and their November 17th game with Sam Houston, but just one of those games is at home. That one is LSU.
If there’s a bright spot, it’s that now there’s no chance the atmosphere for A&M’s home opener against Florida is tempered by the game against Louisiana Tech. It’s now not only the home debut for Kevin Sumlin and the new look Aggies, but their opening performance.
Official Press Release
Louisiana Tech University officials announced today that its season opener against Texas A&M has been postponed until Oct. 13 due to the impending effects of Hurricane Isaac which is scheduled to make landfall along the Louisiana coast in the next 24 hours.
LA Tech Athletics Director Bruce Van De Velde said that after consulting with Tech President Dan Reneau, head football coach Sonny Dykes, Texas A&M officials and numerous regional and national weather agencies, the decision was made to postpone the game.
“Our primary concern was for the health and safety of the general public, students and fans of both institutions,” Van De Velde said. “It’s impossible to predict exactly what is going to happen throughout the state so we also wanted to be conscientious of the possible effects of his storm on residents throughout Louisiana.
“As much as both teams wanted to play, the safety of everyone took precedent over a football game, even one of this magnitude. We simply couldn’t move forward with Thursday’s kickoff in good conscience knowing what this storm may do. We appreciate the cooperation of Mayor Glover and the City of Shreveport and the Independence Bowl as well as Texas A&M University.”
Both Louisiana Tech and Texas A&M had the same open date of Oct. 13 on their schedules which allowed the game to be moved back. Kickoff time will be determined at a later date but fans are reminded that tickets and parking permits that have already been purchased will be honored, but there will be no refunds.
- Aubrey Bloom
- Texas A&M Insider - Gigem247