Storm puts Saturday’s game vs. Southern Miss in jeopardy
The FAUOwls are used to their football games getting canceled because of COVID-related reasons. However, the uncertainty surrounding their matchup against Southern Miss this weekend is because of a completely different threat.
Hurricane Delta, which theNational Hurricane Center on Tuesday morning said strengthened into a Category4storm, isontrack to hit the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula and then the U.S. Gulf Coast thisweek.
The Owls’ game against the Golden Eagles is scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. Saturday in Hattiesburg, Miss., which is around 75 miles away from the Gulf Coast. The Tuesday forecast had Mississippi
in the cone of uncertainty, with the eye of the storm projected to go over the state sometime Saturday or Sunday.
An FAU spokesperson told reporters Tuesday afternoon that the game is expected to be played, and that the university’s administration is in contact with Southern Miss and Conference USA about potential changes to Saturday’s game.
“With all these pushbacks we’ve had so far, I don’t evenwant to think that far,” FAU coach WillieTaggart saidMonday. “I believewe’ll play. It’d be nice if it just stayed out in the ocean and didn’t hit the country at all. It’s unfortunate. That part of the area has been hit quite a bit. We’re going to keep an eye on it, make surewe’re in good communication with Southern Miss and do what’s best for our student-athletes
The Owls have had five games — including their first four scheduled games — canceled/postponed this season because of reasons related to theCOVID-19 pandemic. In the schedule ahead, their Nov. 21 matchup against Old Dominion was canceled after the Monarchs nixed their fall sports season.
They opened the season with a 21-17 victory versus Charlotte on Oct. 4 at FAUStadium.
The FAU and Southern Miss game could be moved to FAU Stadium, if necessary.
“I talked to our weather people this morning and they seem to think it’s going to potentially be a lot of rain,” said Scotty Walden, Southern Miss interim coach, on and everyone.”
Monday according to the Biloxi Sun Herald. “I feel like there’s no immediate threat to talk about canceling the game. It’s something we’ll continue to monitor through theweek.”
Southern Miss athletic director Jeremy McClain released a statement Tuesday afternoon about Saturday’s game: “We continue to closely monitor the weather situation in the Gulf of Mexico and remain in constant contact with state and local emergency officials.
“While it remains too early to make any decision regarding our [4 p.m.] home game this Saturday, our staff will continue to evaluate and work through possible scenarios. Ourdecision-making progress will be focused on the safety of not only our players, staff and fans, but Florida Atlantic aswell.”