LSU postpones game

Gustav's damage forces Saturday's tilt to Nov. 15

Louisiana State postponed its football game against Troy after Hurricane Gustav damaged Tiger Stadium and battered Louisiana's capital city far worse than anticipated.

The university made the decision yesterday after having a full day to get a handle on damage to the stadium and the community, much of which is expected to be without power into next week.

"We would have loved to play the game, but it's not possible and the city of Baton Rouge is in too bad shape to take resources away to play a football game," LSU athletic director Joe Alleva said. "The welfare of the people of Baton Rouge, the uncertain power issues facing all of us and the condition of Tiger Stadium were all factors in making this decision."

The seventh-ranked Tigers' game against the Trojans will be played Nov. 15.

"We are fortunate that both schools had a common open date later in the year," Alleva said. "I am appreciative of the cooperation of the good people at Troy for their understanding of this situation."

Classes at LSU are canceled through the end of the week, with only part of the campus on power generated by the school's emergency backup power plant.

Tropical Storm Hanna also is causing schedule changes this weekend. The Colgate-Coastal Carolina football game has been moved from Saturday night to Sunday at 1 p.m. in Conway, S.C.

Gold Helmet fits Nelson, Poole

Massachusetts junior tailback Tony Nelson and American International senior wideout Travis Poole received the first weekly Gold Helmet Awards of the season from the New England College Football Writers.

In his first career start, the 5-foot-10-inch, 210-pound Nelson piled up a career-high 171 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the Minutemen's 28-16 win over visiting Albany.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Poole hauled in 10 passes for a school-record 253 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-19 victory over C.W. Post.

Pitt's Gunn may be out for season

Pittsburgh outside linebacker Adam Gunn may miss the rest of his senior season with a broken neck caused when he collided with teammate Scott McKillop in Saturday's season-opening loss to Bowling Green.

Gunn, who became a starter last season, played every down on defense and also was on the kickoff team before sustaining a concussion during the third quarter of the 27-17 victory.

A broken vertebra, which occurred during the helmet-to-helmet hit with McKillop that also resulted in the concussion, showed up during an MRI.

"[It] could be the year. We're not going to say it's the year, but it's going to be a while," coach Dave Wannstedt said.

Seminoles opt for Ponder at QB

Christian Ponder will start at quarterback for Florida State in its season opener against Western Carolina. Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher selected Ponder over senior Drew Weatherford, who has started 33 games for the Seminoles, and sophomore D'Vontrey Richardson. Ponder, a sophomore, has thrown only 18 passes in college. "We'll find out what we've got with the first guy," Fisher said. "I'm not a short-leash guy. You can't play yo-yo quarterback." . . . Former Cincinnati quarterback Ben Mauk lost his final appeal to the NCAA for more playing time. Mauk contended injuries cost him playing time at Wake Forest, so he should get one more season at Cincinnati, where he is a graduate student . . . Members of the only Maine football team to play in a bowl game will be in Orono Sept. 13 for a reunion and festivities to recognize their achievement. The 1965 squad played in the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando, Fla., after going 5-0 in the Yankee Conference and 8-1 overall. The Black Bears lost, 31-0, to East Carolina . . . Michigan running back Kevin Grady will play against Miami of Ohio after being suspended for the season opener. Coach Rich Rodriguez said Grady has earned the right to play. Grady was suspended before the season began. He was arrested July 2 in the Grand Rapids suburb of Wyoming for driving with a blood-alcohol level at 0.281 percent, about 3 1/2 times the state's legal limit . . . Ohio State tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells is not taking contact or putting pressure on his injured right foot but still holds out hope of playing when the Buckeyes host Ohio University Saturday, then travel to take on No. 1 Southern Cal Sept. 13.