Full Breakdown
Power Outage Delays FSU-SMU ACC Opener
9/8/2026, 11:11:04 AM
Core Event
Doak Campbell Stadium lost power just before the scheduled 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff of the ACC opener between Florida State and No. 19 SMU on September 7, 2026. A transformer on the west side blew, shutting down floodlights, the press-box sound system and the main power tower. After nearly two hours of troubleshooting, enough lights were restored to begin play at 9:15 p.m. ET. The game proceeded without helmet-to-player radios, sideline iPads, a public-address announcer, a working scoreboard, or instant-replay review. Referees kept the official clock on the field. SMU won 27–24.
Background & Context
The matchup was the first ACC meeting between the two programs at Doak Campbell since SMU joined the league. Florida State entered 1-0 after a Week 0 win; SMU was ranked No. 19. The stadium had completed a $250 million renovation before the 2025 season, reducing capacity to roughly 67,000 seats. The outage was unrelated to weather; it stemmed from an electrical short in the main transformer.
Data & Statistics
- Final score – SMU 27, Florida State 24.
- SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings: 26-of-36, 430 yards, 3 TDs; Mustangs totaled 585 offensive yards.
- Florida State running back Ousmane Kromah: 116 yards on 22 carries, including a 54-yard run.
- Turnovers – SMU four (two interceptions), Florida State one.
- Game lasted about 1 hour 45 minutes longer than scheduled because of the delay.
Official Statements & Responses
- FSU Athletics: “Technical staff are addressing a power disruption to the west side tower due to an electrical short in the main transformer. Electricians are working to restore power. The game remains suspended. There will be another update soon.”
- ACC commissioner Jim Phillips met with athletic directors Michael Alford (FSU) and Damon Evans (SMU) and both head coaches before deciding to resume play.
- SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee said his team had not practiced without coach-to-player communication in more than two years, making the conditions “unprecedented.”
- Florida State head coach Mike Norvell called the contest “championship-caliber” despite the setbacks.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They’re optimistic, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to play,” — Taylor McGregor, ESPN sideline reporter
- “They went to reset the transformer and then the transformer blew, so they’re going to a backup plan right now, but nobody really has any idea how long that could take,” — Taylor McGregor, ESPN sideline reporter
- “I just spoke to ACC commissioner Jim Phillips, and he told me at 8:20 [p.m.] is when they expect an update,” — Taylor McGregor, ESPN sideline reporter
On-the-Ground Reports
Fans stayed in the stands while the marching band kept the crowd engaged. Spectators used phone flashlights and started a wave as the video-board clock froze at 7:30 p.m. When partial power returned, east-side lights came back on, but the press-box side stayed dark for much of the first half. Both teams returned to the locker room around 7:45 p.m. ET and completed a 10-minute warm-up before kickoff at 9:15 p.m. ET.
