Alabama, Florida State in Lightning Delay: Weather Updates

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No. 10 Alabama football and Florida State are in another lightning delay.

Lightning struck within eight miles of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium with 2:36 remaining in the first half and the Seminoles leading the Crimson Tide 21-6.

This is the seventh lighting delay of the game, as there were six during the pregame with the first coming a little over an hour before kickoff and during warmups. It resulted in the game kicking off at 4:15 p.m. CT rather than the initial 2:45 p.m start time.

Follow along, as this story will be updated with more weather news. Be sure to refresh your browser, as the most recent information will be placed below this paragraph.

In-Game Weather Updates

6:02 p.m.: Play has resumed.

5:57 p.m.: Both teams came back onto the field for a very quick warmup.

UPDATE: Alabama-FSU will resume at 6:02 p.m. and play out the final 2:36 of the first half. However, the game will then roll into the third quarter without a halftime break.

Everything looked clear, but with 2:36 remaining in the first half, lightning struck within eight miles of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Florida State held a 21-6 lead before the delay.

Pregame Weather Updates

After 1 1/2 hours of a lightning delay, warmups have begun and kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m.

3:15 p.m.: The stadiun PA announcer shared that lightning is now outside the area and told fans to return to their seats.

The Bryant-Denny Stadium crowd lights up upon hearing that the lightning is gone. pic.twitter.com/t4Oc8eICqk
— Theodore Fernandez (@TheoFernandez__) September 19, 2026

3:11 p.m.: UPDATE: Alabama-FSU warmups are expected to begin at 3:35 p.m. and kickoff should be 4:15 p.m., it was announced in the press box. Alabama equipment staffers ran onto the field a moment later and fans roared.

3:10 p.m.: Numerous FSU equipment staffers come out of the tunnel and head toward the Seminoles' sideline

3:05 p.m.: Fans cheer as the sun comes out. Meterologist James Spann also posted an update at the same time, saying kickoff could be around 4 p.m.

Storms southwest of Tuscaloosa have weakened, not expecting any additional lightning. Kickoff should be near or a little after 4:00 (Bama vs Florida State) pic.twitter.com/GTU1eE8Nle
— James Spann (@spann) September 19, 2026

3:01 p.m.: A message from Alabama and NFL legend Joe Namath on X (formerly known as Twitter): "Weather delays are very frustrating for everyone in the locker room and the stands. And just because Florida State isn’t off to a strong start doesn’t mean we should take them lightly. We need to go in with a payback attitude and beat em up for last year! ROLL TIDE!!!"

2:42 p.m.: Lightning strikes once again within eight miles of Bryant-Denny Stadium. Reset 30 more minutes until pregame warmups. 3:12 p.m. is now the earliest start for warmups.

2:38 p.m.: Alabama trainer Jeff Allen and some of the Crimson Tide medical staff are meeting near the visiting tunnel with a delegation from FSU. They could be discussing what would be a safe amount of time needed for player warmups once the weather clears

2:30 p.m.: Lightning strike No. 5 — 3 p.m. is now the earliest start time for warmups. The crowd groaned as the announcement was read. Warmups are expected to only be 10 minutes whenever it resumes. The ABC broadcast said it could be a while until kickoff.

2:19 p.m.: Resetting the clock again after another lightning strike was detected. Earliest time to begin warmups is now 2:49 p.m. — four minutes past the original kickoff time.

2:10 p.m.: Another 30-minute delay has been announced. However, there's no rain, and while some fans are seeking shelter, many others are headed back to their seats.

2:02 p.m.: Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack check out Saban Field. DeBoer will be wearing his signature black hoodie during this afternoon's game.

Kalen DeBoer and Kane Wommack just came out to check field conditions and talk with stadium officials pic.twitter.com/JfUYICHlr1
— Katie Windham (@katiewindham_) September 19, 2026

2 p.m.: Lightning strikes within eight miles once again, meaning there's an additional 30 minutes of a delay.

1:50 p.m. CT: Rain starts to fall at Bryant-Denny Stadium and fans hit the exits. The students haven't moved. The rain stopped after a few minutes.

It’s started pouring at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Lightning was detected within eight miles of the stadium and the game is now under a lightning delay. Follow to stay up to date with the situation. pic.twitter.com/vjznGsdv1A
— Theodore Fernandez (@TheoFernandez__) September 19, 2026

How to Watch: Alabama vs. Florida State

Who: Florida State (1-1, 0-1 ACC) at No. 10 Alabama (2-0, 1-0 SEC)

When: Saturday, Sept. 19, 2:30 p.m. CT

Where: Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

TV: ABC

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Play-By-Play: Chris Stewart, Color: Tyler Watts, Sideline: Damion Square, Host: Roger Hoover)

SiriusXM: Alabama – 84; Florida State – 269

All-Time Series: Alabama leads 3-2-1, with the first matchup occurring on Oct. 23, 1965. Neither Alabama nor the Seminoles has won back-to-back games against each other. This year's meeting will be the first in Tuscaloosa since 1974.

Last Meeting: Florida State upset Alabama 31-17 at Doak Campbell Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025, which was the Crimson Tide's first season-opening loss since 2001. It was Ty Simpson's first career start as Alabama's quarterback, and after a 17-play opening drive that ended in a touchdown, he and the rest of the offense went cold. Defensively, Alabama allowed 230 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 49 attempts. FSU quarterback Tommy Castellanos finished with 152 passing yards, 78 rushing yards and a score on the ground.

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