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USC-Purdue weather updates: Week 3 Big Ten game underway after lengthy lightning delay
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- USC-Purdue weather updates: Week 3 Big Ten game underway after lengthy lightning delay
The Big Ten opener between Southern California and Purdue took more than three hours to get started.
The first meeting between the Trojans and Boilermakers since 1998 was delayed due to lightning. It is taking place at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana, and was scheduled to kick off at 3:40 p.m. ET.
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However, teams were instructed to stay in their locker rooms and fans were instructed to seek shelter with heavy rains and thunderstorms in the area. Luckily, it did not storm for the entire evening and the weather should make it possible to get the full game in on Saturday, Sept. 13, according to AccuWeather .
USC-Purdue weather updates: Game underway
USC vs. Purdue kicked off more than three hours later than the original start time. The contest began at 6:45 p.m. ET as stadium gates opened 30 minutes prior at 6:15 p.m. ET.
The Indianapolis Star reported lightning was last visible at 5:31 p.m. ET and the skies began to clear up.
AccuWeather's hourly forecast shows thunderstorms are in the forecast until 6 p.m. ET. They are also expected to return around 10 p.m. ET.
College football lightning rules
NCAA rules state games must be delayed or must stop if lightning is detected within a six-mile radius of the stadium . Teams cannot return to the field until there is no lightning in the area for 30 uninterrupted minutes. The clock to resume plays resets with each lightning strike in the radius.
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After there is no lightning in the area for 30 minutes, teams are then allowed a 10-minute warm-up before play can begin or resume.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USC-Purdue weather updates: Lightning delays Big Ten game by 3 hours
