Early Thursday morning it seemed Western Kentuckys football game at Wisconsin on Saturday would be played. But that changed later in the day as all Division I college football games and most I-AA games were suspended or postponed, including the I-AA Hilltoppers contest at Wisconsin. The cancellations showed a change of opinion from Wednesday, when the majority of schools announced they would play this weekend. Both WKU and Wisconsin had said Saturdays game would be played unless Saturday was declared a national day of mourning. National Day of Prayer and Remembrance is today. The NFL announced Thursday it would not play games this weekend and that may have tilted some opinions. I think youre seeing that the NFL has canceled its schedule and youre seeing more and more schools giving pause to reflect whether or not they should play football games and put a large number of schools in such travel circumstances. And that it might not be a good idea as a way to pay tribute to the disaster in the United States, WKU Athletics Director Wood Selig said. Were all waiting to follow the lead of the White House and were getting such a slow message and some have had to make quicker decisions based on games and sites and times than others. Its just been a very difficult process, Selig added. It is undecided if the Hilltoppers still will play Wisconsin this season. Both schools are hoping to reschedule the game later this year, but might have to do some juggling for it to work. Wisconsins remaining open dates are Sept. 29, Nov. 10 and Dec. 1. Westerns lone open date is Nov. 3 as it hopes to be playing in the I-AA postseason Nov. 24 and onward. But there has been some talk involving fellow Gateway Conference member Illinois State. The Redbirds and Hilltoppers are scheduled to meet Sept. 29, but the two share the same Nov. 3 open date. The two schools could reschedule their Sept. 29 game for November, allowing the Hilltoppers to play Wisconsin on Sept. 29.We might be able to work with the (Gateway) conference and juggle a game here or there and see if we cant get some consideration, given what everyone is going through right now, and see if we cant get some help there, Selig said. Playing Wisconsin is important for the Hilltoppers because of budget concerns. Western was scheduled to receive $350,000 for playing the Badgers making up a substantial portion of the WKU football budget. We built our 2001-02 budget around this large revenue stream and quite frankly, Id be hard-pressed to find a replacement for that anywhere, Selig said. Theres a certain degree of motivation. Right now, (Wisconsin is) our first and only option. Weve got a contract with Wisconsin and thats what we want to honor. Because of Saturdays postponement, WKU football coach Jack Harbaugh canceled practice Thursday and the Hilltoppers wont resume practice until Sunday. When asked Thursday morning about playing Saturday, Harbaugh said he had mixed emotions about the game. On Friday, Harbaugh said he was in total agreement with the decision. As for me, it was a situation that was such an emotional experience that weve all gone through this week, it wouldve been very difficult to throw all your energy and emotions into this game, he said. Harbaugh also said his players understood the decision and have hopes of playing Wisconsin on Sept. 29.Fans were not ready to be entertained and were entertainers, Harbaugh said. Theyll tell us when theyre ready for it. Coinciding with the football teams postponement of Saturdays game, other WKU athletic events have been postponed. The WKU mens soccer team was scheduled to play in a tournament at Vanderbilt this weekend, but that was indefinitely postponed. The mens golf team was scheduled to play at an event in Iowa City, Iowa, but that also has been postponed. The WKU volleyball team had a tournament in Evanston, Ill., this weekend canceled earlier this week. WKU officials did announce the Old Timers cross country meet at Kereiakes Park still will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday. The womens soccer team still will play at Missouri Southern on Sunday afternoon and the womens golf team will take part in the Elon Invitational this weekend.