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UPDATE: The Birmingham Bowl has announced the game will return at 4:55 p.m. ET/3:55 p.m. CT.
The TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl has came to a halt about as quickly as it started. After four possession in just about half a quarter, the bowl game between Boston College and No. 21 Cincinnati on Thursday afternoon has entered a weather delay due to lightning.
After the fourth punt to open the game, the players and coaches left the field. What little crowd in the stadium also left for a safer and drier area.
The Birmingham Bowl Twitter account tweeted following the clearing of the field that “we are continuously monitoring the weather and are currently in an extended delay. We hope to be back on the field in about an hour.” The account also asked for fans to stay tuned for more updates.
ESPN, who is broadcasting the game, provided an update at 4 pm ET, but just simply said they “hope to have football soon” again in Birmingham.
Cincinnati came into the game more than a touchdown favorite. The Bearcats have lost to just two teams all season — on the road at Ohio State and at Memphis twice.
Cincinnati squared off versus the Tigers in the final week of the regular season and in the AAC Championship Game the following Saturday. In the first meeting, the Bearcats lost by 10 and then fell by five in the rematch.
Boston College was an average team in a below average ACC. The Eagles began the season 2-0 but lost six of their next nine games before beating Pitt in the season finale to secure a 6-6 record and bowl bid.
Each team has punted twice in the game’s first four possessions.
Lightning has been detected in the area and the game is now in a delay???
— Birmingham Bowl (@Birmingham_Bowl) January 2, 2020
We are continuously monitoring the weather and are currently in an extended delay. We hope to be back on the field in about an hour. Stay tuned to Twitter for more information as it becomes available.
— Birmingham Bowl (@Birmingham_Bowl) January 2, 2020
Dave covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
