What was already an eventful Week 1 of the 2026 college football season is ending on a fittingly bizarre note.
No. 20 SMU's game at Florida State on Monday, Sept. 7 has been delayed due to a power outage at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.
The stadium lights went off right around 7:30 p.m., when the game was scheduled to kick off, sending both teams into a bit of uncertainty. As of 8:20 p.m. ET, the Mustangs and Seminoles returned to the field to warm up, even while many of the stadium lights remained off.
Unsurprisingly, social media had fun with the unusual event, with users cracking jokes between live updates as millions of fans watching the night's
standalone game wondered when it might begin.
Here are some of the best posts:
College football social media reacts to Florida State power outage
I’ll tell you one thing.
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) September 7, 2026
There’s not a chance I’m trusting this game clock tonight. pic.twitter.com/IqmCWesa17
Live look at Florida State and SMU in their respective locker rooms. pic.twitter.com/fnfa6pbsek
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) September 8, 2026
Broke Campbell Stadium
— Brewer Carter (@TheBrewersBest) September 7, 2026
I don't want to say Florida State has become a cursed program, but have they considered a stadium exorcism?
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) September 7, 2026
Florida State fans are not allowed to pretend they can buy their way out of the ACC for at least one calendar year after this.
— Shehan Jeyarajah (@ShehanJeyarajah) September 8, 2026
The guy who turned off the lights at the Florida State Stadium.
— Chad Fisher DNP (@ChadFisher) September 7, 2026
“Can’t lose if you don’t play!” pic.twitter.com/6sv2qfOyWK
Florida State to the stadium lights: pic.twitter.com/yvPmqj6X6f
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) September 8, 2026
Pay your power bill, Seminoles. 🤦🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/YEMXoBAXs5
— FunnyMaine.com (@FunnyMaine) September 7, 2026
— Freezing Cold Takes (@OldTakesExposed) September 8, 2026
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Pay your power bill': College football reacts as Florida State-SMU game delayed by outage
