UAlbany football's kickoff at Buffalo delayed 2 1/2 hours by weather
"We just wanted to make sure everybody had the opportunity to understand the field was safe to play," CAA commissioner Joe D'Antonio said.
On Thursday night, the University at Albany's football game against the University at Buffalo was delayed for over 2 ½ hours due to inclement weather. The nonleague match, between the Great Danes of the Coastal Athletic Association and the Bulls of the Mid-American Conference, was set to begin at 7:02 p.m., but was postponed until 9:44 p.m. due to lightning and heavy rain soaking the field at Broadview Stadium.
UAlbany athletic director Mark Benson, Buffalo athletic director Mark Alnutt, referee Billy Williams, Buffalo head coach Pete Lembo, and UAlbany head coach Tom Perkovich all met to assess the condition of the field. The grounds crew added turf pellets to wet areas near the 45-yard line and in one end zone, and the field began to drain well by kickoff.
CAA commissioner Joe D Antonio, MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher, and representatives from both teams were present on the field to ensure the safety of the match. The weather delay was the second time in two seasons that UAlbany experienced a lengthy disruption, with last season's game against Delaware State lengthily delayed for seven hours due to multiple in-game delays.
NCAA rules mandate a half-hour delay following every lightning strike within eight miles of the venue. The Great Danes, who compete in the Football Championship Subdivision, receive a $315,000 guarantee from Buffalo, a Football Bowl Subdivision school, for participating in the game.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
