Monday night's matchup between SMU and Florida State began at 9:15 p.m. ET after a lengthy power outage at Doak Campbell Stadium, though not all the power was restored.
The game started with severe limitations to electronics, including no replay or coach-to-player helmet communication, ESPN's Taylor McGregor reported on the broadcast.
No. 19 SMU vs. Florida State will kick off at 9:15 PM ET 🚨
— ESPN (@espn) September 8, 2026
Due to the power outage, there will be:
▪️No coach-to-player communication
▪️No iPads
▪️No PA announcer
▪️No scoreboard pic.twitter.com/jCRtLKZRpT
The limited electronics are expected to slowly return to full use during the game, McGregor reports.
SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee told the broadcast that the Mustangs have not practiced without player communication in two years, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Stadium lights initially went out at about 7:30 p.m. ET after both teams had already emerged from their locker rooms.
Kickoff was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
