FSU-SMU Game Goes Old-School After Stadium Blackout
When a power outage knocked out communications at Florida State's stadium on Monday night, both teams made a surprising choice: play anyway, just like football was played decades ago. The game became an unexpected throwback to the sport's simpler era.
A power surge plunged Doak Campbell Stadium into darkness minutes before kickoff on Monday night, but it couldn't stop Florida State and SMU from playing their season opener. What happened next turned into one of college football's most unusual games in years.
The blackout hit just as both teams took the field at 7:39 p.m. ET in Tallahassee, forcing players back to the locker rooms. Stadium officials scrambled to restore power while ACC commissioner Jim Phillips joined school officials in emergency meetings every 20 minutes to discuss their options.
By 8:45 p.m., they faced a tough call. Half the stadium remained without power, meaning no helmet-to-helmet communication, no coordinator headsets, and no iPads on the sidelines.
Both teams agreed to play anyway, choosing to embrace old-school football over postponing the game. For SMU, delaying until Tuesday would have created serious scheduling problems with their UC Davis game coming up Saturday.
The sight of coaches practicing hand signals with officials at 9:06 p.m. captured just how unusual the night had become. SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee admitted his team hadn't practiced without coach-to-player communication in over two years.
The Bright Side
While the circumstances were chaotic, the decision created an unexpected gift for football purists. Fans in the stands got to watch the game as it was played for most of its history, with coaches shouting plays and quarterbacks making their own reads.
The Florida State marching band kept spirits high during the delay, and fans who stuck around were rewarded with a truly unique experience. They witnessed something rare in modern sports: competitors choosing to adapt rather than wait for perfect conditions.
Both teams faced identical challenges, turning the game into a test of preparation and player intelligence rather than technological advantage. The blackout stripped away the modern overlay and revealed the sport's core.
Sometimes the best moments come from the unexpected detours.
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Based on reporting by Fox News Latest Headlines (all sections)
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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