College Football

Lightning delays Indiana State-Louisville in first quarter

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 1:22 a.m. ET

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Indiana State and Louisville have completed the first quarter following three delays for lightning totaling 2 hours, 33 minutes.

The third delay for 33 minutes came with 3:42 remaining in the quarter and came just after the visiting Sycamores tied it at 7 following the second stoppage for 70 minutes. The first two stoppages alone totaled two hours and marked the first time in school history that weather delayed consecutive home games. A home game last November against Syracuse was also delayed.

The Sycamores outgained Louisville 58-49 in the long-delayed quarter.

Louisville (0-1) had just taken a 7-0 lead on Rodjay Burns' 55-yard punt return touchdown before the contest was first stopped with 11:23 remaining in the quarter and delayed 50 minutes. Play resumed for three minutes before being stopped again after additional lightning was reported nearby.

The second delay featured heavy downpours that created waterfalls cascading down stairs in the south end zone. Ponds also formed in both end zones, but quickly drained. The visiting Sycamores (1-0) still had to re-enter the field from the northwest corner as workers cleared water from their entrance on the opposite side.

Indiana State eventually tied the game by converting an interception by Louisville native Jonas Griffith into Titus McCoy's 2-yard TD run with 3:51 left in the quarter.

The delays came on a night Louisville's unveiling of a $63 million renovation to Cardinal Stadium began with heavy, steady rain that made visibility difficult and the football slippery for both schools. Spectators were advised of lightning in the vicinity and told to begin seeking shelter before play was stopped a few minutes later with the field and stands being cleared. The evacuation was repeated less than an hour later and again after play resumed.