The clock ticked past the 7:20 p.m. kickoff time and the team had yet to step on the field to partake in any pregame team drills. Lighting and rain in the surrounding Tallahassee areas once again foreshadowed the evening’s events for the second week straight. Around 7:30 p.m., a new late kickoff time of 8:45 p.m. was announced to an unsuspecting crowd who collectively responded with resounding boos and sighs of frustration.
Florida State elected to receive the ball and was quickly forced to punt away their first possession. The Samford Bulldogs opened their drive with a one play 54-yard touchdown pass that left the whole stadium shocked, stunned, and silenced.