Update, 10:38 p.m. ET: The game is being canceled after one play, a long kickoff return by the Gators. Florida fans are encouraged by the result, the first non-negative one in a while for their team.
Idaho-Florida game terminated amid lightning storms, could be rescheduled
Florida’s season opener against Idaho was delayed until 9:50 p.m.. from its original 7 p.m. start time. And then, after just one play, it was delayed some more.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Tonight's game has been terminated due to unsafe field conditions. #UFvsIDA
— GatorZone Football (@GatorZoneFB) August 31, 2014 ESPNU saying Idaho AD says two options: 1) Find new date to pick up game from scratch, not on 14-yard line. 2) Call game "no contest."
— Thomas Goldkamp (@Goldkamp247) August 31, 2014 “If the game is rescheduled, then it would be restarted as a new game,” Florida said in a statement. “That determination will be made and announced at a later time.” The two teams do share a bye week on October 25.
By rule, a lightning strike within an eight-mile radius of the stadium requires a delay of no less than one hour. That’s the point at which the NCAA’s governing delays of game start to make it dicey as to whether a suspended game like this one will actually get played.
Here are the rules regarding a game in suspension: #IdahovsUF pic.twitter.com/UGbget10Dn
— ESPNU (@ESPNU) August 31, 2014 If a game is delayed beyond midnight, it’s not likely to get played in the same weekend. In that situation, it could either resume at a later date or be forgone entirely, at the discretion of the conferences of the teams involved. In this case, it appears the parties agreed on the latter option.
#UFvsIDA (1/2) If the game can't be continued, NCAA rules state that the game can either be resumed at a later date or declared no contest.
— Dave Cutaia (@CFBRulesExpert) August 31, 2014 #UFvsIDA (2/2) The decision for this game is at the discretion of the conferences.
— Dave Cutaia (@CFBRulesExpert) August 31, 2014 Original: It started out looking like a great day to play football in Gainesville. The sun was out, the field was looking well-maintained, and Florida fans were beginning to pile into The Swamp in hopes of seeing the Gators’ make their disappointing 2013 campaign a distant memory.
Field looks great for the #Gators' season opener - pic.twitter.com/0tkWtH8YPb
— Thomas Goldkamp (@Goldkamp247) August 30, 2014 But then the radar started looking rather ominous about an hour ahead of the originally scheduled 7 p.m. start.
Update: cell approaching #UF & #Gainesville now should pass through by approx 7:50. Lightning possible until then. pic.twitter.com/iydo8gSEmR
— WRUF Weather (@WRUFWeather) August 30, 2014 Around 7 p.m. the rain started to pour and the game was officially delayed.
When it rains it pours! #UFvsIDA @GatorZoneFB #inallkindsofweather #ItsGreatUF pic.twitter.com/uFVzqwWIhz
— Kan Li (@kanli) August 31, 2014 And then ... oh boy that doesn’t look good.
Here's the scene in Gainesville, where the #Gators opener has been delayed by 2 hours so far http://t.co/yWmlaGhSpz pic.twitter.com/h6GcQhXjha
— PB Post Sports (@pbpsports) August 31, 2014 You see, it’s kinda funny because Ben Hill Griffin stadium is nicknamed “The Swamp” and tonight it actually looks like one.
Your latest this seems unlikely update - pic.twitter.com/BZQtKAL5D8
— Thomas Goldkamp (@Goldkamp247) August 31, 2014 And then, after three hours of waiting in the rain, Florida fans finally got the sweet relief that only comes from watching Idaho Vandals football.
Another huge roar as officially announced on PA that weather delay is lifted. 10:00 put on the scoreboards.
— Thomas Goldkamp (@Goldkamp247) August 31, 2014 Gators are in the tunnel getting to run out. They are jacked.
— Robbie Andreu (@RobbieAndreu) August 31, 2014
On the first play of the game Valdez Showers, whose surname is a meteorology term, nearly rain back the opening kickoff for a touchdown. And then - surprise, surprise - lightning struck again and the game was delayed again.
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