College football’s 2026 season opened with one of the strangest Monday night games in recent memory. A major power outage at Doak Campbell Stadium delayed kickoff by nearly two hours, shut down key tech, and turned a prime-time ACC matchup into a raw, low-tech battle. In the end, No. 19 SMU escaped with a 27–24 win on a late field goal.
What Caused the Florida State–SMU Power Outage?
Just minutes before the scheduled 7:35 p.m. ET kickoff, large sections of Doak Campbell Stadium went dark. Florida State Athletics later confirmed an electrical short in the stadium’s main transformer, which cut power to the west side tower and affected lights, the scoreboard, and other systems.
Crews worked for almost two hours to restore enough lighting for safe play. Kickoff finally happened around 9:15 p.m., but many systems stayed offline or only partially working.
How the Game Was Played Without Normal Tech
Even after the lights came back on, the game was far from normal. For a significant portion of the contest, the following were not available or were limited:
- Coach-to-player helmet communication
- Sideline iPads for replay and stats
- Public-address announcer in the stadium
- Working scoreboard for much of the night
Broadcasters and staff adapted by relaying information through the TV feed and direct updates, while fans dealt with long delays and limited in-stadium info.
Game Recap: SMU 27, Florida State 24
Despite the chaos, both teams delivered an entertaining ACC opener.
SMU Offense Steps Up
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings shook off two early interceptions and finished with a career night:
- 26 of 36 passing
- 430 yards
- 3 touchdowns
He led multiple scoring drives and kept the Mustangs ahead in a tight contest.
Florida State’s Fight
Florida State stayed competitive and made it a one-score game late, but costly turnovers and missed opportunities hurt their chances. The Seminoles showed they can hang with a ranked opponent but must improve execution in key moments.
The Decisive Play
The game came down to the final minute. SMU drove into field-goal range, and kicker Nick Reed hit a 20-yard field goal with just seconds remaining to give the Mustangs a 27–24 victory.
Why This Game Will Be Remembered
This wasn’t just another Week 1 result. The blackout stripped away much of the technology that defines modern college football, creating a unique atmosphere:
- Nearly two-hour delay before kickoff
- Minimal in-stadium communication
- No scoreboard for long stretches
- A dramatic, last-second finish
For fans, it was a mix of frustration and fun: a reminder that, at its core, college football can still be unpredictable and exciting even when everything goes wrong.
What This Means for SMU and Florida State
SMU Mustangs
- Start 1–0 (1–0 ACC) with a tough road win
- Offense looks potent, but ball security must improve after multiple turnovers
- Confidence boost from winning in a hostile, chaotic environment
Florida State Seminoles
- Showed they can compete with a ranked ACC opponent
- Need to clean up turnovers and late-game execution
- Home crowd energy was strong despite the delays and technical issues
Both teams have clear lessons to take from this unusual opener as they move deeper into conference play.
Key Takeaways from the Blackout Game
- A transformer issue caused a nearly two-hour delay at Doak Campbell Stadium.
- The game was played with limited tech: no helmet comms, limited replay, no PA, and a broken scoreboard.
- Kevin Jennings threw for 430 yards and 3 TDs to lead SMU.
- Nick Reed’s late 20-yard field goal sealed a 27–24 win for the Mustangs.
- The wild conditions made this one of the most memorable Week 1 games of the 2026 season.
