Editor’s note: This story was updated throughout a 3-hour, 15-minute weather delay. Follow live game updates here.
WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue football’s Big Ten opener against USC will not start on time.
Lightning caused a delay of Saturday’s kickoff at Ross-Ade Stadium. Both teams had conducted a good portion of their pregame warmups before the field and stands were cleared. Fans were instructed to clear Ross-Ade Stadium.
Purdue announced an expected adjusted kickoff time of 6:45 p.m., with gates to Ross-Ade reopening at 6:15. CBS is broadcasting the game, which was originally scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. The last recorded lightning strike in a 10-mile radius came at 5:31 p.m.
Skies have begun to clear up to the northwest — the direction from which the severe weather had rolled into Tippecanoe County. Puddles which had formed around the perimeter of Rohrman Field during heavy rains had begun to drain off.
Sighting of lightning in a 10-mile radius triggers a 30-minute delay. That delay restarts with each new lightning occurrence. Other storms earlier in the day delayed the opening of the media gate.
According to a timeline on the CBS broadcast, USC took the field as scheduled at 2:41 p.m., followed by Purdue at 2:56. The teams were pulled from the field at 3:11. Over 900 lightning strikes followed, and 1.25 inches of rain fell.
Fans were instructed to seek shelter at Lambert Fieldhouse, Mackey Arena or Holloway Gymnasium. Some simply stayed on the concourse, though.
Purdue earlier announced the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning until 5 p.m.. Per a message on the Ross-Ade video board, “heavy rain and hail are likely.” No hail was visible inside the stadium before that warning expired.
Purdue (2-0) and USC (2-0) are playing for the first time as Big Ten opponents. It is the teams’ second meeting in West Lafayette and first since 1976.
Also, Purdue is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its 2000 Big Ten Championship and Rose Bowl team.
Weather-related delays have become more common. Texas Tech’s home game against Oregon State is also in a delay. Miami and South Florida went into a weather delay early in the second quarter. The NFL season opener between the Cowboys and Eagles in Philadelphia was interrupted by a delay of about an hour.
Indiana weather radar Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025: Purdue football game vs USC delayed
Cradle of Quarterbacks great Gary Danielson previews Purdue football vs USC
While waiting for the weather to pass and the game to start, enjoy Gary Danielson on the BoilersXTRA Podcast with Purdue insiders Nathan Baird and Sam King.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue football game vs USC begins after weather delay lasting over 3 hours
Reporting by Nathan Baird, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
