SEC INSIDER

Georgia-South Carolina game pushed to Sunday

The Sports Xchange

October 06, 2016 at 9:00 pm.

Oct 1, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA;  South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Brandon McIlwain (11) passes against the Texas A&M Aggies at Williams-Brice Stadium. Photo Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 1, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Brandon McIlwain (11) passes against the Texas A&M Aggies at Williams-Brice Stadium. Photo Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

The Georgia Bulldogs-South Carolina Gamecocks football game scheduled for Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C., was moved to Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET because of Hurricane Matthew.

“Due to the potential impact of the hurricane on Columbia and the surrounding area, it is in the best interest of safety to play the game on Sunday rather than Saturday night,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. “I appreciate the cooperation of the schools who worked closely to make the appropriate operational adjustments in order to accommodate this change in the schedule.”

Hurricane Matthew’s path was far from certain as of Thursday night, but forecasts call for heavy rain and gusty winds around central South Carolina on Friday and Saturday with things clearing on Sunday.

A University of South Carolina spokesperson told NBC’s affiliate in Atlanta, WXIA, that the school is confident it will be able to host the game after being in constant communication with the governor’s office, other state and local officials, state and local law enforcement agencies, the National Weather Service and the SEC about potential weather issues.

“We will be able to staff traffic, security and other game day operations,” the spokesperson said in an email to WXIA. “The safety of everyone affected by the storm and the minimization of the impact on emergency personnel were the most important factors considered in making the decision.”

Hurricane Matthew also forced Saturday’s scheduled football game between LSU and No. 18 Florida in Gainesville, Fla., to be postponed. The SEC and the schools will attempt to reschedule the game for later this season if possible.