Power Down
Power Outage Amidst FSU Football Game
On Sept. 7, 2026, Florida State fans sat in Doak Campbell Stadium, excitedly awaiting the opening kickoff of the FSU vs. SMU game. However, what was supposed to be a heated match quickly spiraled into disaster as all the lights in Doak Campbell Stadium turned off, leaving fans sitting in darkness. A power outage struck the stadium moments before kickoff due to a malfunction during repairs of a nearby power grid. This malfunction triggered an electrical surge that left not only the stadium but also many nearby apartments and offices in darkness.
The highly anticipated ACC matchup eventually continued, but some compromises were made: coaches were unable to communicate with players through helmet systems, there were no stadium scoreboards or clocks, no active speakers and game officials were unable to review plays. However, these compromises were necessary, as the game had already been delayed by nearly two hours, leaving both players and fans restless.
Unfortunately, in addition to the power outage, FSU fans would also be met with a heartbreaking loss. After the game, the power outage continued to affect nearby facilities, with some apartments being without power for multiple days.
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