The power outage occurred as both teams made their pregame entrances on the field. Don Juan Moore / Getty Images
Sept. 7, 2026 Updated 8:15 pm EDT
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State’s home game against SMU was delayed after a power outage at Doak Campbell Stadium on Monday night. According to Florida State officials, the next update will come at 8:20 p.m. local time.
As the two teams made their entrance for the 7:30 p.m. local time kickoff and the stadium lights flashed, a power outage swept the stadium. The lights that illuminated the stadium flickered off and both teams stood awkwardly as officials huddled at the 20-yard line.
Florida State’s band completed its pregame festivities, including Chief Osceola planting the spear atop Renegade at midfield after the coin toss.
However, neither team left their sideline as the lack of stadium lights made it clear kickoff wouldn’t follow the coin toss.
The stadium’s screen and ribbons remained on through the outage, but the pregame countdown clock paused at 4:40 until kickoff.
A few minutes later, screens inside the stadium announced the game had been delayed due to a power outage, prompting boos from fans.
The game was set to begin just before a 7:52 sunset in Tallahassee. At 7:53, both teams elected to leave the field and return to their locker rooms.
ESPN reported that Florida State tried to reset the stadium’s power, and the transformer blew out. ESPN also reported there was a power outage overnight on campus.
SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee told ESPN’s Taylor McGregor on the broadcast that both teams agreed to a 10-minute warm-up before kickoff.
Sep 8, 2026
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