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Florida State-SMU Game Delayed by Power Outage at Doak Campbell Stadium
Confirmed
In Short: The Florida State-SMU game at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, was delayed by an unexpected power outage, affecting the stadium lights and causing a five-minute delay before the game could start.
According to ESPN's Taylor McGregor, the game cannot be started until the stadium lights come back on, with the outage impacting the eighth and ninth floors of the stadium. The power surge caused the lights to go out just as the game was set to begin.
The power outage also affected the stadium's ability to use replay systems, and the sun had already set by the scheduled kickoff time. Florida State cheerleaders performed as players and fans waited out the delay, with many fans using their phones as flashlights.
Despite the initial uncertainty, the game is expected to start at 9:15 p.m. EST, with unique circumstances due to the power outage. Social media users and fans reacted with humor, sharing live updates and jokes about the unusual situation.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- ET in an ACC showdown at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla.
- There are 11 games on Monday's MLB schedule, including the opener of a three-game series between the Washington Nationals (67-78) and San Diego Padres (75-68) at 5:10 p.m.
- The Nationals are in the midst of a four-game losing streak after being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend, while the Padres won two of three against the New York Yankees and trail the Arizona Diamondbacks by a half-game for the third wild card in the National League.
- Florida State is hosting SMU in its 2026 ACC opener at Doak Campbell Stadium on Monday night, but the 7:35 p.m.
- ET kickoff has been delayed “at least five minutes,” according to the ESPN broadcast, by an unexpected power outage.
- The broadcast initially indicated that the game would kick off as expected, but that the officiating crew would potentially be without replay during the power outage and for however long it persisted into the night.
- There have been recent power outages on Florida State’s campus in Tallahassee this week as a result of recent storms in the area.
- The players had taken the field, the stadium was filled and the game was ready to begin, but with the sun setting around the time of kickoff, the stadium became dark quickly.