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Lightning delay strikes in 2nd quarter of Florida Gators Texas A&M

Untitled designby:Nick de la Torre•09/14/24•

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The Florida Gators take on Texas A&M (Nick de la Torre)
The Florida Gators take on Texas A&M (Nick de la Torre)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators and Texas A&M Aggies are in a lightning delay after just one-quarter of play. The Aggies charged out to a 10-0 first quarter lead before the game was halted and both teams were removed from the field.

According to the Southeastern Conference Severe Weather Policy, if there is severe weather or lightning in the area, game officials will be notified if it is detected within 15 miles of the stadium. If lightning is then detected within 8 miles of the stadium, play will be (delayed or suspended). Competition may be resumed after 30 minutes if there are no detected lightning strikes within the eight-mile radius. Every time there is a lightning strike, the 30-minute clock resets. A 10-minute warm-up period may be granted following the 30-minute suspension.

Texas A&M starting quarterback Conner Weigman was listed as a game time decision. While he was able to warm up, the Aggies went with backup quarterback Marcel Reed. The redshirt freshman didn’t look like a backup, leading the Aggies to a scoring drive on the first possession of the game. The drive included a 31-yard run on 2nd and 21, as well as four third-down conversions. Reed was 4/4 for 54 yards on third down as Texas A&M drove to kick a field goal to open the game.

After a quick five-play drive from the Gators that resulted in a punt, the Aggies’ second drive began at their own eight-yard line. Reed led the Aggies on a nine-play, 92-yard touchdown drive capped off by a 29-yard touchdown pass.

Florida head coach Billy Napier sent true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway out to start the Gators’ second drive, to an eruption of applause from the Florida faithful. Lagway handed off to running back Montrell Johnson, a two-yard loss, before the game was officially delayed.

Billy Napier said all week that the Florida Gators would use two quarterbacks, which appeared to certainly be the case.

“I think that the key is that we give our team the best opportunity to win and I think DJ certainly brings — he’s extremely talented right so we got to give him an opportunity to impact the game but we have a ton of confidence in both players, Napier said this week. “If we get good quarterback play and we can play well-rounded, we have a chance to have some success.”

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