why is the usc game delayed

The USC game was delayed due to lightning in the area near Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. NCAA rules require games to be paused if lightning is detected within a 10-mile radius of the stadium, with a mandatory 30-minute delay after the last lightning strike before play can resume. Each new lightning strike resets this 30-minute countdown, leading to a delay of over three hours before the game could finally start. During the delay, fans were evacuated to safety, and teams remained in locker rooms until it was safe to proceed.