TALLAHASSEE -- Because of lightning, play was suspended twice during the first quarter of Saturday's game between No. 22 Georgia Tech and Florida State at Doak Campbell Stadium.
The Yellow Jackets had just tied the game at 7 with 6 minutes, 50 seconds remaining when the announcement was made.
NCAA rules dictate that play must be suspended for a minimum of 30 minutes when lightning is in the area. After a 30-minute delay, lightning was seen again. A third flash of lightning occurred several minutes later. Play resumed at 9:40 p.m.
Tech had tied the score on a 73-yard drive that took 4:52 seconds. Embry Peeples had an 18-yard run and caught a 36-yard pass on the drive. Josh Nesbitt scored from 1 yard out.
The last game in which Tech experienced a delay because of weather was Sept. 20, 1980, against Florida at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
On Aug. 27, 2000, Tech's season opener against Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg, was postponed after the start of the game was delayed more than an hour as a powerful thunderstorm passed through the area.
Lineup changes
Tech made three changes to its starting lineup on defense, including two players making their first starts.
Steven Sylvester replaced freshman Julian Burnett in the starting lineup at outside linebacker. Sylvester, a sophomore, was tabbed as a potential starter during the week by defensive coordinator Dave Wommack. It was his first start.
Burnett had three tackles in last week's win against Mississippi State.
Wommack said the change was made to develop more depth on defense.
Dominique Reese replaced Rashaad Reid at free safety. Reese started the season's first three games before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the previous two.
Freshman Izaan Cross started at right defensive end for Anthony Egbuniwe, who sustained an illness during the week that prevented him from making the trip to Tallahassee. It was Cross' first start.
Egbuniwe, a junior, had four tackles, a sack, caused two fumbles and recovered one against the Bulldogs last week in his second start of the season.
The Seminoles didn't waste time attacking Cross, running four times to his side on their opening drive, which culminated in a touchdown and 7-0 lead.
Doak doldrums
The Yellow Jackets were attempting to snap a six-game losing streak in Tallahassee. Tech first played at Doak Campbell Stadium in 1993. The Seminoles have beaten the Jackets by an average of 42.8-15 at home.
The Jackets did break two streaks on Saturday: They won the coin toss. They were 0-for-5 this season. Also, FSU's score on the opening drive was the first time this season the Jackets didn't score first.
Still going
Showing support for embattled 79-year-old coach Bobby Bowden, FSU fans began chanting his name after the Seminoles took an early 7-0 lead.
FSU trustee Jim Smith said last week that it was time for Bowden to go after the Seminoles lost to Boston College. That comment created a media frenzy in Florida, with Bowden's wife, the school president and even the governor chiming in during the week.
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