The LSU Tigers’ season opener against the Clemson Tigers was unlike any typical kickoff, as a series of lightning strikes during the 90‑minute warm‑up forced a delay that pushed the start time to 8:40 p.m., the latest in program history.
A historic delay
Originally slated for a 6:49 p.m. broadcast on ABC, the game was halted after multiple lightning strikes lit up the sky above Tiger Stadium, prompting officials to reset the countdown clock and wait for conditions to clear.
After the storm subsided, a light rain lingered, but players and staff returned to the field at 7:00 p.m., only to see the clock pushed forward again, culminating in the 8:40 p.m. kickoff that set a new Tigers record.
For LSU, the delay marked the first game under new head coach Lane Kiffin, whose arrival brought a fresh storyline to the season, while Clemson’s veteran coach Dabo Swinney entered his 19th year looking to rebound from a 7‑6 finish.
The unusual timing underscored the growing influence of weather on college football schedules, reminding fans and analysts alike that even the most prepared programs can be at the mercy of the elements.