Full Breakdown
Lightning Delays Alabama-Florida State State Football Game in Tuscaloosa
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 19, 2026, a lightning strike near Bryant-Denny Stadium halted the No. 10 Alabama Crimson Tide’s home game against the Florida State Seminoles with 2:36 remaining in the second quarter. Florida State led 21-13. Officials cleared the field for a second weather delay after the initial postponement pushed the kickoff, originally set for 2:30 p.m. local time, back nearly two hours.
Background & Context
Alabama entered seeking its third win of the season and a chance to avenge last year’s loss. The game was the first home contest for new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer. Florida State, led by Mike Norvell, opened the season with strong offensive play from quarterback Ashton Daniels and running back Ousmane Kromah.
Timeline of Weather Delays
- 4:14 p.m. ET – Lightning cleared the stadium; warm-ups scheduled for 4:45 p.m.
- 3:30 p.m. ET – A second strike triggered the NCAA-mandated 30-minute safety clock.
- 3:52 p.m. – UA_Safety tweeted another strike, restarting the clock.
- 5:15 p.m. ET – Kickoff finally arrived after the first delay.
- Mid-second quarter – After a 21-yard touchdown, lightning was again detected, prompting a second delay with 2:36 left.
- 6:49 p.m. ET – Rece Davis (ABC) reported the game would resume at 7:02 p.m. ET.
- 6:50 p.m. ET – Peter Holland (*The Tallahassee Democrat*) noted there would be no halftime once play resumed.
Game Situation at Time of Delay (Data & Statistics)
- Florida State: 21 points (touchdowns by Daniels, Kromah, and a field goal). Daniels had 156 passing yards, one passing TD and one rushing TD.
- Alabama: 13 points (two field goals by Connor Talty and a touchdown pass from Keelon Russell to Cedarian Morgan). Russell was 14-of-19 for 142 yards and a TD.
Official Statements & Responses
- The University of Alabama public safety department tweeted at 2:44 p.m. directing spectators to shelters and confirming gates remained open.
- Rece Davis (ABC) gave the revised resume time of 7:02 p.m. ET, indicating the game would pick up with the remaining 2:36 of the second quarter.
- Peter Holland (The Tallahassee Democrat) clarified that the usual halftime break would be omitted once the game continued.
Impact on Schedule and Fan Experience
The delays extended the pre-game period by nearly two hours and eliminated halftime, compressing the remaining game time. Ticket holders were instructed to seek shelter and could re-enter after each clearance, but the uncertainty created logistical challenges for fans, broadcasters, and stadium staff.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No formal update from either university confirmed a definitive new kickoff time beyond the 7:02 p.m. ET estimate. While outlets reported the same delay timeline, the exact duration of the second delay and the final start time remain unverified.
What’s Next
University officials and conference representatives have not announced a revised end-time. Fans and media are advised to monitor official university safety channels and network broadcasts for any further adjustments.