Lightning Delays College Football Games

September 7,2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

This radar image shows lightning and heavy rain in the vicinity of Provo, Utah, during the college football game festivities at Brigham Young University.

Three separate college football games experienced lightning delays on Saturday.





  BYU Cougars @BYUcougars

We are in a TEMPORARY delay. The game is NOT cancelled! Stay safe and dry for the time being #BYUFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/F6lRe7ZKR5

6:39 PM - 7 Sep 2013

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Texas vs BYU

The start of the game between No. 15 Texas and BYU was delayed by lightning.
The kickoff was scheduled for 5 p.m. MT before a strong storm moved into the area, complete with a whipping wind and pounding rain. No new time for kickoff was announced.
BYU players attempted to take the field for special teams work, but quickly retreated back into the locker room. The rain came down so fast that a giant puddle formed in the corner of the north end zone.
Later, lightning flashes began appearing near the stadium along with claps of thunder. Fans were told to leave the stadium.
Last week, BYU had its season opener in Virginia delayed for more than two hours by weather.



  LSU Football @LSUfball

Kickoff has been pushed back to 6:37 pm CT due to lightning in the area. Updates will follow as available.

6:19 PM - 7 Sep 2013

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UAB vs LSU

Baton Rouge radar image.

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With the threat of lightning in the Baton Rouge area, officials pushed back the kickoff for Saturday night's game between No. 9 LSU and UAB until 7:42 Eastern time, a delay of about 40 minutes.
There was only intermittent light rain after the decision was made, but players were told to stay off the field rather than warm up as they normally would.
A public address announcement also advised early-arriving fans to leave their seats and wait out the weather in covered corridors, but many remained in their seats, particularly in the student section.
The game marked the home opener for LSU, which won its first game in Dallas a week earlier, 37-27 against TCU.
UAB opened with an overtime loss last weekend at Troy.





  Spartan Football @MSU_Football

Kickoff has been delayed for at least 30 minutes as a weather front, with lightning, approaches Spartan Stadium. #MSUSUSF

11:53 AM - 7 Sep 2013

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MSU vs USF

Lansing radar image.

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As thunderstorms began moving into the East Lansing area, students refused to budge -- at least until MSU's basketball coach Tom Izzo addressed the crowds in the stands.
Detroit Free Press reports that Izzo took the field and encouraged the students to seek shelter. Pointing to the radar posted on the stadium's giant screens, Izzo urged the students to take the situation seriously and evacuate. In return, he promised to sit among them once the game began.
The appeal worked.
According to the East Lansing Police Department, Spartan Stadium - which can hold about 75,000 people - was evacuated, and fans were moved into the concourse area as the result of lightning spotted in the area around noon eastern time Saturday.
Fans tailgating outside the stadium were moved to safe housing around campus. (MORE: Outdoor Lightning Safety) Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.