After a lengthy power outage delay, Florida State and SMU will play their Week 1 matchup — without several typical components of the game.
The Labor Day game was scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET, but a power outage resulted in a lengthy delay that lasted more than an hour as officials tried to figure out if the game could be played. Ultimately, the lights were able to turn back on enough for all sides to agree to start the game at 9:15 p.m. ET.
However, because power hasn't been fully restored, things that have become instrumental to the operations of a college football game won't be available to use, making for a one-of-a-kind contest that will feel
like a throwback to the days before technology.
Here's what to know:
Florida State vs SMU to be played without key technology components
The Week 1 game will be played with limited communication between coaches and players. The game will not have:
- In-game video replay
- Helmet coach-to-player communication
- PA announcer
- Reduced lights
- Videoboard
- Operating score board clock (time will be kept by officials)
- Referee microphones
The game clock is being kept on the field, with the referees using signals to let the coaches and players know how much time is left on the play clock and the game clock. There is a chance some of the aforementioned features can come back to use if more power is able to be restored.
If not, it'll be an ACC matchup in 2026 played like it's 1966.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida State and SMU to play with limited technology after outage. What's missing?
