Florida State University’s much‑anticipated ACC opener against SMU was pushed back nearly two hours, shifting the kickoff from the scheduled 7:30 p.m. ET to 9:15 p.m. ET after a sudden power outage plunged Doak Campbell Stadium into darkness.
Power Outage Halts Kickoff
The interruption stemmed from a transformer failure that sparked a power surge, forcing both teams to retreat to the locker room and leaving the stadium without the lights, headset communications, and scoreboard that are essential to modern college football.
Despite the setback, the Seminoles entered the contest riding a 1‑0 start after a commanding victory over New Mexico State on August 29, where quarterback Ashton Daniels threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns, underscoring his role as the team’s primary playmaker.
Wide receiver Duce Robinson, a preseason All‑American and first‑team All‑ACC honoree, has already established himself as a deep‑threat presence, while kicker Gabe Panikowski, perfect 17‑for‑17 on field goals at the NCAA level, adds reliability in the special teams unit.
Other standouts included running back Samuel Singleton Jr., named ACC Receiver of the Week for his 164 all‑purpose yards and two touchdowns, safety Ma’Khi Jones, who earned his first career start, and cornerback Quindarrius Jones, who recorded his first career interception on the opening drive.
Statistically, the Seminoles have scored on the opening drive in five straight seasons, the second‑longest active streak in the nation, and their 38 points on opening drives since 2020 rank highest among all Power Five conferences, reflecting a strong early‑season performance.
With the game finally underway, FSU looks to build on its early momentum as it prepares for the remainder of the ACC schedule, while the delay highlighted the vulnerability of stadium infrastructure to unexpected electrical issues.