CLEMSON, S.C. – Georgia Tech’s Saturday afternoon game at No. 6 Clemson was halted by lightning with 32 seconds left in the first half. Both teams returned to their locker rooms, with play suspended for a minimum of 30 minutes. Play resumed at 6:55, a delay of two hours.
Play was stopped shortly after 5 p.m. At the time, the Yellow Jackets trailed 7-0 and had advanced past midfield for the first time in the game.
Just before 6 p.m., the delay was extended to 6:45 p.m. That followed a delay to 6:10 p.m. that was issued at close to 5:45 p.m. Players returned to the field just before 6:45 and were given a 10-minute warmup period.
Fans were encouraged to leave the stadium and wait out the storm in their cars. With the teams in the locker room for a prolonged period, both coaches agreed to let the suspension of play serve as halftime, with the two teams to play out the final 32 seconds of the first half and continue directly to the second half.
It was the second time in as many years that Tech has played in a game suspended by lightning, following last year’s season opener at Florida State.
By the ACC policy on lightning, play is to be halted if lightning is detected within eight miles of the game site for 30 minutes, and cannot resume until 30 minutes elapses after the last lightning strike in that eight-mile range.
On the field, the Yellow Jackets were giving the Tigers more of a challenge than expected. As a 27.5-point underdog, Tech had given the Clemson offense trouble, limiting the Tigers to 127 yards of offense. It was a performance far better than a year ago, when Clemson led 52-7 at the half en route to a 73-7 victory at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Tech quarterback Jordan Yates was making his second start in a row. The drive that was halted by the lightning warning was easily the offense’s best, starting at the Tech 29-yard line and reaching the Clemson 17-yard line when play was stopped. The Jackets faced a third-and-2.
About the Author
