(Tallahassee, FL) - A stadium-wide power failure right before kickoff marred the Monday night matchup between #19 Southern Methodist University (SMU) and Florida State University (FSU).
The game was supposed to start at 7:30 p.m. when Doak Campbell Stadium went dark.
After creative electrical repairs, the game started at 9:15 p.m. in a partially lit stadium. The limited electricity affected both teams with no PA announcer or scoreboard. Also, the game clock didn't work so time had to be kept on the field. And there was no coach-to-player communication, no iPads and no instant replay.
Both teams had already run out onto the field and were waiting for the kickoff on the sidelines with the lights went out. As a result, they were forced to wait it out in the locker room.
SMU was coming off a successful 9-4 season and a Holiday Bowl victory. Despite being on the road, the 19th ranked Mustangs were favored by 2.5 points and ended up beating FSU by three, 27-24.
Florida State, under head coach Mike Norvell, already secured a win this season by defeating New Mexico State 34-17 in week zero.