Gustav postpones Aggies' opener

From the AP.

NMSU postpones Nicholls State football game

LAS CRUCES -- With Hurricane Gustav targeting the Gulf Coast, New Mexico State and Nicholls State administrators agreed Friday to postpone next week's football game between the schools.
No makeup date was immediately scheduled for the game, slated for Thursday night in Las Cruces. NMSU athletics director McKinley Boston said the safety of those involved and destruction by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was a major concern.
"We understand their concerns for the safety of their players, coaches and administration," Boston said. "Our thoughts and prayers will be with them as Hurricane Gustav approaches."
During preliminary discussions over the past week, the schools initially agreed that Nicholls State would travel to New Mexico on Sunday, then both teams would share NMSU's facilities for practices.
Those plans were scrapped when it became apparent Gustav was gathering strength and forecasters predicted the storm could make landfall at Houma, La., about 20 miles from the school's campus in Thibodaux, La.
"These things are bigger than the game of football," said New Mexico State coach Hal Mumme, who coached at Southeastern Louisiana from 2002-04. "Having lived in Louisiana, I understand how scary these storms can be and how important it is to be near your families during these unsure times."
Brandon Rizzuto, spokesman for Nicholls State's athletic department, said coaches and the parents of many players expressed concern about their families. Administrators agreed to let them return to their homes.
Meanwhile, with Louisiana residents making plans for possible evacuations, it became difficult to secure buses for the trip to New Mexico.
"The football team really wanted to play this game," Rizzuto said. "We still had questions with respect to the safety of coaches' and players' families. So we said, 'Let's do the smart thing, the safe thing."'
Rizzuto said Nicholls State athletes in all sports who are unable to rejoin their families, including international athletes, will travel to the Louisiana Tech campus in Ruston, La., a 280-mile trip.
He expressed gratitude to Louisiana Tech officials, who offered to house the displaced Nicholls State athletes.