Katrina cancels Aggie game

The effects of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana are being felt some 1,900 miles away in Utah, as Utah State's football home season opener set for Saturday with Nicholls State was canceled Tuesday due to the storm.

Also, Cottonwood High's football game to be played against John Curtis High School in Thibodaux, La., was also canceled.

"They (Nicholls State) have had a tough week with the hurricane," Utah State football coach Brent Guy said Monday. "I hope all of them and their families are safe. I know they have a lot of people from that area, so we're real concerned for them and their families."

Nicholls State is located in Thibodaux, La., some 70 miles southwest of New Orleans. Heavy winds and rains that accompanied the storm in the Gulf Coast region on Monday and Tuesday left hundreds of people dead and missing, and many homes without power and drinking water. It is estimated that 80 percent of New Orleans that is below sea level is under water. Many other cities along the coast are also devastated.

"First and foremost, our prayers are with the families and victims of the hurricane. We need to do all we can to support them," Utah State athletic director Randy Spetman said. "We are disappointed to not be playing this Saturday. There is a lot of excitement in the community and we would have like to have had a great game."

The Colonels evacuated campus last week prior to the arrival of Hurricane Katrina.

"I am definitely disappointed about not playing, but looking at the situation and understanding what is happening down there right now, you have to feel for them and hope for the best. You hope their families are safe and everything like that," Utah State linebacker Matt Wiser said.

Cottonwood's opponent, John Curtis High, is a private school located in the suburbs of New Orleans, but the game was going to be played in Thibodaux at Nicholls State.

"We're saddened we're unable to go and compete against this quality football team. At the same time this is one of those catastrophic things that can happen," Cottonwood principal Dr. Garett Muse said. "We understand that this is more serious than a football game."

Cottonwood officials attempted to contact the hotels, bus companies and restaurants it was scheduled to work with but were unable to do so.

"We decided it's not in the best interest of the kids to go down there," Cottonwood football coach Tom Jones said. "They're overwhelmed by the enormity of the catastrophe down there."

Instead of hosting Nicholls State, Utah State will open its season at Utah Sept. 10, and after a bye week, the Aggies will host UNLV on Sept. 24. Utah State lost to Utah 48-6 last season in Logan.