Power Outage Halts Florida State-SMU Season Opener
The game between Florida State and SMU was delayed due to a power outage at Doak Campbell Stadium. A transformer blew out, and the projected restart time was moved to 9 p.m. ET, with a possibility the game could be played on Tuesday instead.
The stadium lights flickered and died as the teams prepared to take the field. Broadcast reports indicated a failed transformer caused the outage, following an overnight campus power issue. Officials initially targeted a 9 p.m. restart, but acknowledged a potential postponement to Tuesday.
The matchup carries early-season significance for both programs. SMU enters as a ranked favorite, while Florida State seeks to build momentum after a Week 0 win, with a challenging road game against Alabama looming next week. SMU also has a tough schedule ahead, facing UC Davis next.
The delay could disrupt travel plans for visiting fans and alter broadcast schedules, potentially affecting viewership for a key early-season contest. A postponement to Tuesday may create logistical challenges for both universities, impacting student attendance and team preparation for upcoming games. Furthermore, the incident highlights the vulnerability of aging stadium infrastructure, which could prompt broader conversations about maintenance and emergency preparedness across college athletics.