Story perspectives

Lightning Delays Alabama-Florida State, Kickoff Pushed to 4:15

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Alabama delayed its game against Florida State because of lightning.
Kickoff moved from 2:30 p.m. to about 4:15 p.m. after the storms.
Officials stopped play again with 2:36 left in the second quarter.
Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell threw a 21-yard TD pass to Cedarian Morgan for his first career catch.
Florida State led 21-13 when the second stoppage occurred.

History

Historical Context

In 1999 a lightning storm forced a two-hour suspension of the New York Giants-Philadelphia Eagles game after the National Weather Service recorded 12 strikes in three minutes, prompting Commissioner Paul Tagliabue to revise NFL weather protocols. The league’s earlier weather-related disruptions—such as the 1995 unsafe-field preseason cancellation and the 2004 hurricane-shifted matchup—had already shown the need for stronger safety rules.

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Story summary

Alabama delayed its game against Florida State because of lightning.
Kickoff moved from 2:30 p.m. to about 4:15 p.m. after the storms.
Officials stopped play again with 2:36 left in the second quarter.
Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell threw a 21-yard TD pass to Cedarian Morgan for his first career catch.
Florida State led 21-13 when the second stoppage occurred.

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