The Clemson Tigers’ 2026 season opener against LSU, originally slated for a 7:30 p.m. EDT kickoff at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, was halted before the teams even began warm‑ups.
Weather Disruption Forces Delay
At 6:29 p.m., the delay was announced after multiple lightning strikes were observed across the stadium, prompting officials to pause the pre‑game activities and ensure the safety of players, staff and spectators.
LSU’s internal communication indicated that the interruption would last at least 90 minutes, a estimate that aligns with the ongoing heavy rain and persistent lightning activity reported by AccuWeather, which forecast continued precipitation until roughly 8:50 p.m.
While most fans evacuated the stands, the LSU student section remained, watching the storm from the sidelines as the field stayed slick with rain and intermittent flashes of lightning illuminated the night sky.
The original broadcast partner, WCIV (ABC), had already prepared its coverage schedule, but the kickoff time has not yet been officially revised, leaving the new start time uncertain as the weather situation evolves.