MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The revamped Penn State football offense was finding its rhythm in the season opener when a weather delay halted play.
Thunderstorms with potential lightning approached from the west, causing a stoppage at halftime during the game between the Top 10 Penn State Nittany Lions and West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Play was suspended shortly after halftime began, following reports of a nearby lightning strike. Fans were evacuated to seek safety under the stands.
The game was paused at approximately 2 p.m., with gates scheduled to reopen at 4:08 p.m. and play expected to resume at 4:23 p.m., weather permitting. The matchup would continue airing on FOX.
Current weather forecasts suggest a possible break in the storm activity until at least 6 p.m.
At the time of the delay, Penn State was leading 20-6, with standout performances from quarterback Drew Allar and wide receiver Tre Wallace on offense, as well as a solid defensive showing from safeties Jaylen Reed and KJ Winston.
Allar had completed 8 of 13 passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, with Wallace receiving five passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, Reed and Winston each recorded eight tackles, with Reed contributing a tackle for loss, two pass breakups, and a fumble recovery.
The last weather delay for Penn State occurred in 2017 at Michigan State, which extended play by over three hours. This current delay is set at two hours and 19 minutes.
Attendance for the game stood at 62,084.
Updates on the weather delay for Penn State vs. West Virginia are as follows:
2:04 p.m.: The game is delayed due to impending storms and lightning strikes occurring just after halftime began.
2:30 p.m.: Heavy rains are impacting Milan Puskar Stadium, with the announcer stating there will be at least another 30-minute delay before resuming play.
3:05 p.m.: Lightning strikes have reset the delay clock, and officials indicate they are yet to determine when the game will restart.
3:24 p.m.: Game officials to meet at 3:30 p.m. to decide when play will resume.
3:40 p.m.: Lightning has led to the cancellation of plans to reopen gates at 3:50 p.m. and to resume play at 4:05 p.m.
3:53 p.m.: A meeting regarding the resumption of play is set for 4 p.m. Skies are brightening, but more storms are expected within the next half hour.
3:58 p.m.: Gates are set to reopen at 4:08 p.m., with play projected to resume at 4:23 p.m., assuming no further lightning activity occurs.
4:23 p.m.: The game resumes with West Virginia kicking off to Nick Singleton and the Lions.