Start of No. 19 SMU-Florida State game delayed by power outage

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The start of the game between No. 19 SMU and Florida State on Monday night was delayed due to a power outage at the stadium just minutes before the scheduled kickoff.

Officials said that the Seminoles (1-0) and Mustangs (0-0) are to take the field at 9 p.m. for warmups with a 9:15 p.m. kickoff, almost two hours after the scheduled 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

A statement on the Jumbotron inside Doak Campbell Stadium at 8:30 p.m. read: "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 the power service. The game remains suspended. Update to follow."

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips chatted with athletic directors from both schools, SMU's Damon Evans and Florida State's Michael Alford, for a few minutes on the field before administrators moved inside to further discuss options.

The highly anticipated finale on Labor Day to the weekend's first full slate of games was put on hold as a countdown clock inside the stadium stopped at 7:30 p.m. and the stadium lights went out.

Florida State and SMU had run out of their respective tunnels and onto their sidelines just moments before the game officially entered a delay. The Seminoles and Mustangs remained on their sidelines before eventually being sent back to their locker rooms.

A few specialists from both teams returned to the field to warm up. Florida State punter encouraged the fans to stand up and cheer, and the school's band played in one end zone. Fans did the wave and knocked around beach balls.

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