South Carolina Football vs. Mississippi State Delayed by Lightning Near Williams-Brice Stadium
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s 4:20 p.m. kickoff against Mississippi State moved later Saturday after lightning was detected within eight miles of Williams-Brice Stadium. Coach Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks and the Bulldogs had not begun the game when the delay was announced.
USC reported the strike at 4 p.m. No rain was falling at the stadium at that time, and fans were still being admitted. The available update did not confirm a new kickoff time.
South Carolina–Mississippi State delay: What happened
Pregame warmups were first interrupted at 3:05 p.m. because of lightning in the vicinity. The teams returned to the field at 3:35 p.m. but were pulled off again five minutes later. USC reported a lightning strike within eight miles at 4 p.m.
| Time | Development |
|---|---|
| 3:05 p.m. | Pregame warmups interrupted after lightning was detected nearby. |
| 3:35 p.m. | Both teams returned to the field. |
| 3:40 p.m. | Players were pulled off the field again. |
| 4:00 p.m. | USC reported lightning within eight miles; no rain was falling at the stadium. |
| 4:20 p.m. | Original scheduled kickoff time. |
Lightning delays carry a minimum 30-minute waiting period. That clock is not necessarily the restart time: officials must assess conditions, and both teams still need to complete their warmups. A delay beginning before the scheduled kickoff can therefore push the actual start well beyond 4:50 p.m.
Why no rain did not end the USC vs. Mississippi State delay
Lightning can threaten an outdoor stadium without rain reaching the field. The reported eight-mile radius was enough to pause pregame activities. The absence of rain at 4 p.m. allowed fans to continue entering Williams-Brice Stadium, but it did not by itself clear the delay.
Gamecocks face a second consecutive weather delay
South Carolina’s matchup with Towson was delayed for nearly 75 minutes near the beginning of the third quarter the previous week. The repeated interruptions have created additional uncertainty for players, coaches and spectators around the USC–Mississippi State event.
Williams-Brice Stadium status for Gamecocks fans
Confirmed at 4 p.m.: No rain was reported at Williams-Brice Stadium, fans were still being admitted and a new kickoff time had not been confirmed.
Fans should allow extra time for pregame activities and monitor official game communications for any schedule change. The available report reflected conditions at 4 p.m. Saturday and did not include a guaranteed restart.
What comes next for South Carolina football
The next steps are a weather check and completion of both teams’ warmups. Once those are clear, USC vs. Mississippi State can resume. The 4:20 p.m. time should be treated as the original schedule rather than a confirmed start, and no later kickoff time was available in the report.
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