Kent State and Buffalo postpone game (Updated)

After originally saying Wednesday’s Mid-American Conference game between Kent State and Buffalo will go on despite a massive snowstorm that left parts of Buffalo under four feet of snow and could dump as much as three more feet this evening, the game has been postponed.

Buffalo made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon. Travel issues with Kent State's equipment truck forced the game's postponement. Earlier, Kent State athletic director Joel Nielsen told told Cleveland.com that "It will be a go, no matter what."

According to FootballScoop.com, the Kent State equipment truck, which had the team helmets, pads, heaters and coaching gear, was stuck 15 miles from the stadium and had to be towed in.

"Officials will reconvene tomorrow morning to explore playing the game on Thursday or on an alternative date," Buffalo's statement said.

"Further details concerning when the game will be rescheduled will be provided when available."

Nielsen and others were very optimistic earlier Wednesday before the postponement, though while the teams were ready to go, they were waiting for the officials to arrive.

"We started talking with the MAC office very early Tuesday morning. We put the team on the bus about 11 am, sent them the long way around, through Rochester, N.Y. One of the buses blew out a couple of tires, so we had to split those players up on the other two buses. But they got there about 9:15 last night, about a nine-hour trip instead of a three-hour trip."

The lake effect snow off Lake Erie left many snowed in and stranded. Four people already have died, according to published reports.

"I think the MAC said some of them are driving through Canada to get there, and at least a couple are on the train," Nielsen said.

While the game is essentially meaningless for the 1-9 Golden Flashes, Buffalo is 4-6 with two games remaining and could be in line for a bowl game, which is why an alternative date is being explored.

Nielsen said the teams were bracing for the worst with more bad weather expected Wednesday night if the teams had played.

"I think they are predicting another foot or two today,'' Nielsen said. "You know how lake effect is ... yesterday the bulk of it missed the stadium, a little less than a foot, but today that is where the snow is supposed to hit hardest."

For more Kent State news, visit KentStateReport.com.

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