Southern Utah’s Opener At Arizona State Hits Weather Delay At Halftime
Aug 31, 2023, 11:26 PM | Updated: 11:27 pm
General view of action as wide receiver Kyle Middlebrooks #7 of the Arizona State Sun Devils returns the openning kick off from the Missouri Tigers during the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on September 9, 2011 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Southern Utah football team’s 2023 season-opening game against the Arizona State Sun Devils went into a weather delay at halftime.
SUU vs. Arizona State Game Goes Into Weather Delay
The Sun Devils hosted the Thunderbirds at Mountain America. Stadium in Tempe, Arizona on Thursday, August 31.
The game went into the halftime break with a weather delay. Arizona State owned a 21-7 lead over Southern Utah.
Shortly before halftime, a haboob or giant sandstorm hit the Tempe area and affected the game.
This is what we call a haboob.
Arizona State leads Southern Utah 21-7 at halftime and this is the view. pic.twitter.com/SG7f0WRvxq
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) September 1, 2023
According to Arizona’s Emergency Information Network, a haboob is “unexpected, unpredictable and can sweep across Arizona’s desert landscape at any time. Dust storms can be miles long and thousands of feet high. You can endure these brief but powerful windstorms if you know how to react.”
Best haboob in like five years hitting Phoenix right now #azwx pic.twitter.com/Rys78QPZ8L
— Mike Olbinski (@MikeOlbinski) September 1, 2023
As the two teams went to the locker room for the halftime break, lightning was seen in the area and the game entered a weather delay.
“To the fans in attendance, the weather in the area is temporarily delaying the start of the second half. We ask that you leave the stadium and seek shelter. We will give another update in 30 minutes,” Arizona State football announced on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The storm has started up again here at Mountain America Stadium. The stadium lights are swaying 😳 pic.twitter.com/GdMILOcKsq
— Jeremy Grant Schnell (@JeremyGSchnell) September 1, 2023
The delay began shortly before 10 p.m. (MDT) and was still in place more than an hour later.
“Lightning strikes continue within 8 miles. Currently at least 45 minutes before we can get players on the field or allow fans back in the stands,” the Sun Devils’ X account posted later.
Still in lightning delay!#FocusFightFinish ⚡️ #RaiseTheHammer ⚡️ #TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/Ht684AJhro
— Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) September 1, 2023
Weather is still in the area, we will have a new update at 10:45.
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) September 1, 2023
Southern Utah’s game against Arizona State is televised on the Pac-12 Network.
Up Next For SUU Football
Southern Utah’s next game is on the road against the in-state BYU Cougars. BYU is scheduled to host SUU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, September 9 at 1 p.m. (MDT). The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM & 1160 AM), KSLSports.com, and the KSL Sports app.
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com. He’s also co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on X/Twitter (@kyleireland), Instagram (@kyleirelandksl), and Threads (@kyleirelandksl).
