Lightning Delay Updates: Cat Walk Moved, Gates Now Open

Severe weather can throw a wrench into sporting events. Big Blue Nation learned that the hard way ahead of the first Kentucky football game at the Cat Walk.

Thousands of Kentucky football fans were ready to greet the team and kick off the 2024 season. I admittedly was shocked by how many fans were there. Sometimes the Cat Walk crowd is a little lighter for opponents like Southern Miss, but that was not the case on Saturday.

The team was scheduled to arrive at 5:30 pm EST. The time came and went. Not only was the team not there, neither was the UK Marching Band. Weird.

Standing on a hillside, I noticed barriers were being moved as the band walked to their positions. It was odd to see fans follow them so closely. Who knew there were so many UK Marching Band fans?

Unbeknownst to most for about five minutes, the Cat Walk was moved indoors due to lightning. The university shared the following statement online 16 minutes after the Cat Walk was supposed to begin.

Cat Walk is moving indoors due to lightning in the area. Today’s team arrival will be closed to the public. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Gates opening will be delayed. The gate opening time is to be determined, and we will provide updates here.

— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) August 31, 2024

Mark Stoops typically runs late to the Cat Walk. Most Kentucky football fans understand that. Nobody understood why this had to be moved indoors. The sun was shining bright and the high humidity made it feel like it was 120 degrees. How could there be lightning if we couldn’t see a storm cloud?

Some fans were still able to cheer on the Wildcats as they made a very short jaunt from their busses through Nutter Field House to the locker room, but most were left wondering what the hell was going on. I felt particularly bad for Cam Dooley‘s family. There were no less than a dozen people wearing No. 18 Dooley jerseys who were trying to find a way to see the freshman before his first college football game.

Lightning delay issues may be an issue all night. If a lightning strike happens within 8 miles of the stadium, a 30-minute delay begins. Every time a bolt of lightning strikes within that radius, the 30-minute timer restarts. As of 6:30 pm EST, a light rain is falling over the stadium. Players are still not permitted onto the field and fans cannot enter Kroger Field.

Buckle up, BBN, and do whatever you can to try to will any inclement weather away from Kroger Field.

That storm cloud way off in the distance appears to be what’s holding up the start of pregame at Kroger Field. pic.twitter.com/AfhkzovXKT

— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) August 31, 2024

UPDATE (6:53 PM): UK tweeted that the gates are now open for ticket holders to take shelter in the concourse but they are operating on a lightning delay. No official word that kickoff time will be pushed, but it’s likely. Stay tuned.

We are still in a lightning delay, but we are going to open gates to Kroger Field to ticket holders for them to shelter on the concourse.

The seating bowl is not open due to the ongoing lightning delay.

Fans will still have to scan their tickets and go through security…

— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) August 31, 2024

Still no real movement here outside of Kroger Field. Less than an hour until scheduled kickoff (this thing isn’t starting on time) and everyone is outside.

However, the wait has allowed the UK coaching staff to get some recruiting done from what I can see of the recruiting room.

— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) August 31, 2024

People now finally being let in but it is a scene outside the stadium https://t.co/baAbiz3UGr

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) August 31, 2024

UPDATE (7:12 PM): It took UK 20 minutes to open the gates after the tweet above, but they are, in fact, now open. No word on kickoff time.

Gates are open pic.twitter.com/kxYCcBbbMX

— Dylan Ballard (@DylanBallard_UK) August 31, 2024

UPDATE (7:19 PM): We’re officially in a weather delay.

We remain in a weather delay at Kroger Field with inclement weather remaining in the area.

We will provide updates on potential @UKFootball game start time as soon as we have them. pic.twitter.com/RbloXP5jH8

— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) August 31, 2024

Kentucky Football game threads can be found exclusively at KSR+

You can also keep up with the game and chat with other fans on our game thread on KSBoard, with Nick Roush, Adam Luckett, and Drew Franklin providing updates from Kroger Field and the rest of us from our couches at home. Join the party and maximize your UK sports coverage in the most ridiculous manner possible.