Florida State vs SMU updates: Power outage delays Labor Day game
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The final game in the Week 1 slate of the 2026 college football season is a Labor Day matchup between Florida State and No. 20 SMU, although it is not going to start on time.
The game, taking place at the Seminoles' Doak Campbell Stadium on Monday, Sept. 7, will not kick off a 7:30 p.m. ET due to a power outage in the stadium. The ESPN broadcast noted the power went out just before the game began, and after it was initially reported the game would still begin on time, it remained delayed as sunset approached in Tallahassee.
The lights flickered inside the stadium around 7:40 p.m. ET, but remained off. ESPN sideline reporter Taylor McGregor said officials were working to turn the power back on.
It's not the delay people expected for this game as it was happening as a storm warning is in effect for Tallahassee, Florida. AccuWeather noted thunderstorms were possible in the area, and by kickoff the weather is expected to be "mostly cloudy with thunderstorms." The National Weather Service stated there was a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms.
However, it's not weather that is the issue, but the power.
Florida State vs SMU power outage updates
The Seminoles vs. Mustangs game was slated to start at 7:30 p.m. ET, but it will be delayed as a result of a power outage.
McGregor said at 7:50 p.m. ET she spoke with an official and when they went to reset a transformer, but the "transformer blew." It's working on a backup plan but "nobody knows how long it could take."
A few minutes later, both teams headed back to the locker room.
Some lights turn on, game still delayed
Some of the lights on one side of the stadium turned on, but the press box side remains without lights.
McGregor said game officials are meeting at 8:15 p.m. ET to decide what it will do about the game.
As of 8:15 p.m. ET, there is no updated kick off time. ACC commissioner Jim Phillips told McGregor an update is expected at 8:20 p.m. ET.
SMU coach Rhett Lashlee: 'Disgusted' with power outage
Lashlee spoke with McGregor and said he was "disgusted" with the delay, but joked "we waited long enough to play, what's another 30 minutes?"
He said game officials were in constant communication with updates and hoped it would get fixed within 10 minutes of kick off. When it wasn't, it was decided to head back to the locker room. When power is restored, there will be a 10 minute warm-up before the game begins.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida State vs SMU updates: Power outage delays Labor Day game
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