The Big Ten opener between Southern California and Purdue won’t be starting on time.
The first meeting between the Trojans and Boilermakers since 1998 is delayed due to lightning. It is taking place at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. The game was scheduled to kick off at 3:40 p.m. ET.
Teams were instructed to stay in their locker rooms and fans were instructed to seek shelter at nearby Lambert Fieldhouse, Mackey Arena or Holloway Gymnasium, according to the Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network.
There is a thunderstorm currently in the area, but it is not expected to last for the entirety of the evening, according to AccuWeather.
USC-Purdue weather updates: Game still delayed
The game will start at least an hour later than its original kick off time. CBS Sports, which is broadcasting the game, reported lightning flashes were in the area at 4:05 ET. That means the game can kick off no earlier than 4:45 p.m. ET.
AccuWeather’s hourly forecast shows thunderstorms are in the forecast until 6 p.m. ET. It is also expected to return around 10 p.m. ET.
College football lightning rules
NCAA rules state games must be delayed or must stop if lightning is detected within a six-mile radius of the stadium. Teams cannot return to the field until there is no lightning in the area for 30 uninterrupted minutes. The clock to resume plays resets with each lightning strike in the radius.
After there is no lightning in the area for 30 minutes, teams are then allowed a 10-minute warm-up before play can begin or resume.
