Florida's season-opener against Idaho was delayed for more than two hours due to inclement weather. The teams returned to the field and even got one play -- the opening kickoff -- in the books before lightning cleared the stadium again.
Per school policy, the kickoff time is delayed every time there is a lightning strike within an eight-mile radius of the stadium. The total delay for the game lasted more than three hours until the game was canceled around 10:40 p.m. ET due to unsafe field conditions.
Tonight's game has been terminated due to unsafe field conditions. #UFvsIDA
— GatorZone Football (@GatorZoneFB) August 31, 2014
The schools have two options: schedule a later date or cancel the game for good. Florida and Idaho share just one open Saturday in the schedule (Oct. 25), so it will be interesting to see if both coaches are willing to give up a break in the middle of conference play for this non-conference contest.
We've compiled some photos of the scene in Gainesville, via Scott Carter of GatorZone.com.
Good shot of why all delays...RT @Andy_Staples: Whoa. RT @OurTwoBits: Yikes! (H/T @pbpsports) pic.twitter.com/HhEYKTLoPf
— Scott Carter (@GatorZoneScott) August 31, 2014
Looking real swampy now...#Gators pic.twitter.com/dIrbGji0QW
— Scott Carter (@GatorZoneScott) August 31, 2014
And another one, five minutes later...#Gators #Floridaweather pic.twitter.com/4WEKSCcjYc
— Scott Carter (@GatorZoneScott) August 31, 2014