Storms wreak havoc with college football openers

The first big weekend of the college football season was marred by weather problems across the country on Saturday, with officials calling off games at Nebraska and Iowa State, and delays hitting stadiums from the Air Force Academy in Colorado to the Southeast.

With bowl eligibility potentially at stake for both the Cornhuskers and Cyclones later in the season, officials at Nebraska and Iowa State said Sunday that they will work to find new opponents to fill out their schedules. The Akron-Nebraska and South Dakota State-Iowa State games were called off shortly after they started.

A team needs to win six games to assure itself of bowl eligibility. Nebraska went 4-8 last season and hopes to rebound under new coach Scott Frost. Deputy athletic director Bob Burton said Nebraska would begin looking immediately for an opponent, whether it be from the Football Bowl Subdivision or second-tier Football Championship Subdivision.

The Cornhuskers have an open date on Oct. 27.

“I think we’re going to consider everything,” Burton said.

Akron athletic director Larry Williams, however, said the Zips and Nebraska are in talks to make up the game Dec. 1 if either team needs the game to become bowl eligible.

Players were pulled off the field in Lincoln, Nebraska, immediately after the opening kickoff because of lightning in the area. The game was called off after a 2-hour, 40-minute delay.

Athletic director Bill Moos had discussions LSU quarterback Joe Burrow fires a pass as Miami linebacker Shaquille Quarterman pursues during the first half of Sunday night’s game in Arlington, Texas. Burrow, a transfer from Ohio State, completed 11 of 24 passes for 140 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions, to lead a 33-17 victory in his debut with the Tigers.

with Akron about resuming the game Sunday at 10:30 a.m., but the Zips balked.

“During the delay, there were numerous scenarios discussed for contingency plans for playing the game, including a scenario to play the game on Sunday,” Moos said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, Akron faced some logistical challenges and the decision was made to cancel the game.”

Williams said Akron tried to find lodging for the team within “a reasonable distance from Lincoln.”

“These accommodations were not available or would have required our team to stay in multiple locations, which is not in the best interests of our team and student-athletes,” Williams said.

As to whether Akron would receive its $1.17 million payout from Nebraska, Burton said, “I think that is to be determined.”

Iowa State’s game against South Dakota State was canceled after a 2 hour, 23 minute delay because of severe storms in and around Ames, Iowa. The Cyclones had a 7-0 lead on Kyle Kempt’s 55-yard touchdown pass to Deshaunte Jones, but the two teams got in only 10 plays plus a punt before they left the field for good.

“At the end of the day, player safety is of the utmost importance,” Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard said.

Iowa State is trying to find an opponent to play either on its October open date or on Dec. 1 if, at that time, it needs another win to achieve bowl eligibility, Pollard wrote in a letter to fans on Sunday. The Cyclones were 8-5 last season and have high hopes for this year.

“Needless to say it will be difficult to find an opponent that meets those requirements and is interested in coming to Ames,” Pollard wrote, but he added that if the Cyclones achieve six wins by November, a 12th regular-season game wouldn’t be needed.

There also were delays in games at Ohio State, Maryland, the Air Force Academy and the West VirginiaTennessee game played in Charlotte, North Carolina. North Carolina A&T and East Carolina’s season-opening game in Greenville, North Carolina, was postponed until Sunday.