Lightning Delays Alabama-Florida State Start and Clemson Game Again
19 sourcesUpdated Sep 19, 2026
Severe weather disrupted three notable college football games in South Carolina and Alabama on Saturday. South Carolina’s SEC opener against Mississippi State was delayed before kickoff after lightning was detected near Williams-Brice Stadium, with no immediate resumption time announced. Alabama’s matchup with Florida State was delayed during warmups because of repeated lightning strikes within eight miles of Bryant-Denny Stadium, resetting the required 30-minute safety clock. Clemson’s game against North Carolina was stopped with 8:31 remaining, with North Carolina leading 17-15 and threatening at the Clemson 8-yard line. The Clemson stoppage marked the Tigers’ third consecutive game affected by lightning delays, while Florida State’s game was its second straight delayed by weather.
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Clemson keeps getting hit with these stops and it has to wear on the players trying to stay loose between delays.
Lightning delays make sense for safety but they wreck any chance of a normal game rhythm for the teams.
