LSU-McNeese State cancelled due to lightning; unlikely to be made up

BATON ROUGE, La. - Persistent lightning strikes near Baton Rouge have caused officials to cancel No. 14 LSU's season opener with McNeese State on Saturday night following a delay of nearly four hours.

Players were first ordered off the field with 10:08 left in the first quarter after lightning was observed in the area around 6:50 p.m. Soon after, wind-driven heavy rain arrived, sending fans scattering of the exits, except for some students who seemed to be relishing the downpour while chanting, ''L-S-U!''

More than two hours after the delay started, some coaches and officials returned to the field, but players remained in locker rooms. It briefly appeared officials were planning to resume the game before more lightning strikes were seen in the area.