Update (4:01 p.m.)— The 4:00 meeting concluded at 3:58. Again, barring lightning, warmups will start at 4:08. Kickoff should be at about 4:23.
Update: The 4:00 meeting concluded at 3:58. Again, barring lighting, warmups will start at 4:08. Kickoff should be at about 4:23. https://t.co/pUCkOrmBNf
— Joe Smeltzer (@joesmeltzer775) August 31, 2024
Update (3:55 p.m.)— There will now be a resumption of play meeting at 4. We will be updated after that.
Penn State-WVU update: There will now be a resumption of play meeting at 4. We will be updated after that.
— Joe Smeltzer (@joesmeltzer775) August 31, 2024
Update (3:43 p.m.)— Officials wanted to get the game resumed at 4:05, but a lightning strike scrapped those plans. A new 30-minute clock has started.
Due to a lighting strike, the plan has been scratched. A new 30-minute clock has started. https://t.co/IBR6gDZLvd
— Joe Smeltzer (@joesmeltzer775) August 31, 2024
Update (3:26 p.m)— Officials will meet soon to decide when the teams will resume warming up.
Just got word over PA that there will be a “resumption of play meeting” at 3:30 to determine when the Penn State and WVU will start warming up. https://t.co/DvtKa7xO7T
— Joe Smeltzer (@joesmeltzer775) August 31, 2024
Penn State and WVU will have to wait a while to resume playing.
With PSU leading 20-6 at the half, word got out at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown that the season opener had been suspended to to severe weather.
Penn State-West Virginia has been suspended due to severe weather. 4:30 left in halftime. We’ll keep you posted as to when play resumes. Weather doesn’t look promising.
— Joe Smeltzer (@joesmeltzer775) August 31, 2024
Fans inside the stadium have been advised to seek shelter “on the concourse, restrooms, indoor practice facility” or to simply return to their cars.
Those who choose to leave the stadium will be able to re-enter with their game ticket.
This delay comes at an in-opportune time for Penn State because the team had been clicking on all cylinders by the end of the first half. Drew Allar (8-for-13, 199 yards, three touchdowns) and Harrison Wallace III (five catches, 117 yards, two touchdowns) have been stealing the show offensively, while on defense, Penn State didn’t allow a touchdown in the first half.
Penn State and West Virginia played to a scoreless first quarter, with both teams fumbling on consecutive plays.
On the first play of the second quarter, Allar hit Tre Wallace for a 50-yard touchdown.
Penn State then went for two and didn’t get it, but still led 6-0.
PSU kept it rolling on its next position with a 10-play, 71-yard drive that took 3:45 and ended on a 20-yard pass from Allar to RB Kaytron Allen.
West Virginia finally scored on its next possession, but Penn State limited to damage to a field goal, still holding a 13-3 lead. WVU got three more on its next drive to make it 13-6.
Penn State added another touchdown on the last offensive play of the first half on an 18-yard strike from Allar to Wallace.
PSU has had bad luck with weather delays in the James Franklin era before. In 2017, Penn State had a 14-7 lead in the second quarter before a 3.5 hour weather delay. Michigan State ended up winning, 27-24, on a last-second field goal that ended PSU’s Big Ten and national title dreams.
Penn State will hope for a better result but for now, we wonder when the game will resume.
