# 'Pay your power bill': College football reacts as Florida State-SMU game delayed by outage

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-09-08 04:07 UTC · Category: Sports

## Executive Summary
A power outage delaying the Florida State and SMU game has sparked a wave of social media mockery, including a jab from the Miami Hurricanes.

## Intelligence Brief
A scheduled college football matchup between Florida State and Southern Methodist University (SMU) has faced delays due to a power outage. The technical failure interrupted the game proceedings, leading to a significant reaction across the college football community. The incident has transitioned from a logistical issue on the field to a viral moment on social media platforms, as fans and opposing teams responded to the disruption of the contest between the two programs. Coverage from USA Today and Yahoo Sports emphasizes the public and competitive reaction to the outage.


USA Today highlights the specific phrase 'Pay your power bill,' which became a recurring theme as the college football community reacted to the delay. Meanwhile, Yahoo Sports reports that the Miami Hurricanes, a known rival of Florida State, took a 'savage shot' at the program during the blackout, utilizing the situation to mock their opponent while the game remained stalled. To understand the significance of this event, it is necessary to recognize the intense rivalry between the Florida State program and the Miami Hurricanes. The speed with which Miami responded to the power outage reflects the competitive tension inherent in their relationship.


While the delay affected the immediate play between Florida State and SMU, the resulting discourse has focused heavily on the opportunistic commentary from rival institutions and the general social media fallout surrounding the facility's failure. Future developments depend on the resolution of the power issues and the resumption of the Florida State-SMU game. Coverage does not yet specify the exact cause of the outage or the total length of the delay. Observers will be watching to see if further statements are issued by the universities involved or if the Miami Hurricanes continue their public critique of the situation as the game eventually concludes.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Yahoo Sports | FSU Blows Golden Opportunity Against SMU as ACC Struggles Continue | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijgFBVV95cUxPQnlkQzJzNVRvYXduT0NvSzNsQXhzM2JIelViM2htbG9Ed200bk93ZUpQSENXc3BGOUZOTVNIMHAyRndtNnk3amZXMktyU0JHaUpCeTZ0MGZVZzZUZWlMOGxmZzd4Nm55T0VoQ21ER0Z3REFKcFBPdHZsbFpQMUhFcUFnaXVpT3VLRzhuemZn?oc=5) |
| The New York Times | Florida State-SMU delayed more than 90 minutes by power outage - The Athletic | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikwFBVV95cUxNX1MwaUdCQkFTR2JJYzRhUkpRdUJtb1V3UVpEdnVYdXRGYVJIMGMyMndVYXF0Umo3U0RYZnJvOG13RklhMkw2VlBQYlYtOXA4NXE3QTB4T1dZWWV6Mlhwd1M4bjB0NFI0dWNDaEVPWkVnUGQwWnUxeGplU3RzcDFaUWlRbHM1OFA1X1NFR015cE9ieTQ?oc=5) |
| Fox News | From power failures to moral victories, Monday night couldn't have gone much worse for Florida State fans | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwwFBVV95cUxPdnpPVnBwa2NYeWRMTmlTNmo4TzB2c2FIM1hCcEttWF9HaVF3X3NTNk9VMEotM0o1YnZ1MHJ0blZocFRobU5zX2Fkcjh5WkVOZ3JMZW5NbWx0bDlya0syS0VGY2tLOUZCQVhwclJoMWVVSE9BNXllOEVmMUU2ZHhJblY1NHQySVFhTzE4bHZXQjBNY0ZvUV9Oem9fWW9JOEozOTB3WHVuclEtU2d5SUN0bTBDMFFtWHRVMmU3enk5QVBPUWc?oc=5) |
| sports.yahoo.com | “We came up short:” Mike Norvell on FSU’s 27-24 loss to No. 19 SMU | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiggFBVV95cUxONDB4RGZ0UTFqMDJzcGp2QVozT1ZZOTAzVEE2UXdadU1QNUVGWGFXWW50T01GMTJYSXZfRlVZV3ZzV3hiVm5oY3BDekRGNnhXVVBOVzhjWEtzTHpjNG9fVWc0WkRMSlFKUlZIb21NdF9oeUFNcXZhNTY1N05HOHh1NFNB?oc=5) |
| Dallas News | No. 19 SMU embraces odd situation, overcomes host of mistakes to squeak by Florida State | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuAFBVV95cUxQOWhFNWg3NHZ2dnY2VG82Q2piN2laQ2dmN1BSWWpRNkhBeGpaZlJ5TWoxUUEwUTZUQ0VfLTd3STF3OFpyYURCNXNhVTNzaXZ0Tmd5WXp4OS1WUWctQ0ZFV0N6ak1Jb2dyTTNMTXNPRHo2YUtpTXpPdEhVVjVtdmV2S0JwN0pVeFZqOFp4dTE1SHc2NG5TVFhiQXJESUdCemRwQ3RoZ3F4X0poM2x6UEllUlZfaUQyQlB0?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Jennings lights up Florida State with 430 yards; SMU wins delayed game, 27-24 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiigFBVV95cUxNTXdkOHNzcC1tdnJ0RGQ0R055QnJ2U0JBckYxMDVEcW1waVBsZVVjWG53aDl0b2lpV3AzaWdXMWxDeTdwUXdLaHdFUVk0S0FaM0RyZ3dneUxFdWJEUFVMRXhBWXNodXl3Z183MVhXa0YtMEdxeU4zY2hHV1hjSzVCNm1KTHNOS2Z6Unc?oc=5) |
| USA Today | Power went out at Florida State then MIke Norvell's seat got hotter - Opinion | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwgFBVV95cUxNMlhsdWZhRjFpSnVYTEd0RHEtaWExbEJRbUJDRWNtV1JpV215dzJGLV9IOVhJQ2xtazNYcGdvM3N6dG1NM0NVbVNWNnVFWktnSzBxc1ZlZVpLYnlYQ05NUGlMNTdUWUtfWlAyVFItT0djbG9PUk9LZmwyTkR1MjBzNmstUE1TSFQzeGpFc3FhUGhtbUVzYzJMUkpjSnQ1YlQyNDkwWXZpRl9oY1BpbTdNbmgtNFVOWk4ycmtNTjZLUjhJZw?oc=5) |
| Dallas News | 5 thoughts from SMU-Florida State: Jennings' late-night heroics just enough for Mustangs | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiswFBVV95cUxPN2Z4TTQwZXNINk5zZDlwUlhuZktPWVNHcFlKQlNKSGhNTWpNRDJrSkl3SWNEcnBCWDQ3SUFUdTVoQVhNalI2UmJ3S2h6OE0xR3lHRS1GbEtsTnZ6S25lUS1HZ1JJZVdMaE9TM3oya0VmZEJpUlBzc0F0bFFRS29rWXBGWW5oajNTU01QSC1qX2Z2WHI3T1B3bHpIOGE0bDRyVmpiZXplZjlWLTZpOHo0QVFIWQ?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Miami Hurricanes Take Savage Shot at Florida State During Power Outage | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijgFBVV95cUxQdV9JWGthT2pkUzl5RHFELXhjdWMxdzMzeUFSaGc0XzdUWmpPTkJhUnd5Q3FxXy1aZTlRMllwNlNMNU5xbDFMQXM2QWZTRXdoMzZjSFpZWFVoRm9pZl8tNHhVUzh2bHhnSHVuRUI2UGFuSlNoVG9TbU11WW5kSzZHU0R1YXBXWFNYSzlWb1F3?oc=5) |
| USA Today | 'Pay your power bill': College football reacts as Florida State-SMU game delayed by outage | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi0wFBVV95cUxOTlowUDVobm0xaHRScElGR2FLRUxlRDhxLUxyRmoxc2lkUnJrY1BrVy1vSk9vclg4MkZkWjNma0xrUmtKVC1qQlM0ZkIxbU9yUUQyNUVQRFc0THo2RzFndm9UMTlLTHpvNmNQQWQxRC0yZFAxNzZJQVpxek9mc29ibDM3cnZCZGFnWXNxWDJaY0s4VW9ucHVTeVQzOUxOWDlTLU0tWm1ONWl2b0owRVItVjAtV2sxOU9ZOUY2ODcxdHpXSXM1cW8tN0VWanBUeFhCa1dN?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-09-08/pay-your-power-bill-college-football-reacts-as-florida-state-smu-game-delayed*