Why was Clemson vs Syracuse game delayed in Week 4 of the 2025 NCAA season?

With the Clemson Tigers hoping to right the ship against the visiting Syracuse Orange, the game at Memorial Stadium had to be interrupted. Amid a deflating NCAA season, it seems just nothing is going Clemson’s way at the moment.

As it turns out, the weather wasn’t about to be any less electric than the showdown on the football field. As a result, game officials announced that the contest between Syracuse and Clemson will be delayed until further notice.

“A lightning warning has been issued for the area within eight miles around Memorial Stadium,” Clemson Football announced on X. “For your safety, we ask that you please move to a safer location underneath the stadium.“

Perhaps, a pathetic fallacy taking place in Clemson. The weather has once again been a factor in a home game for the Tigers. Clemson’s week 2 showdown with the Troy Trojans had also been momentarily delayed due to lightning. Maybe it’s a sign for the Tigers to pay attention in the NCAA campaign. But then again, maybe it’s just a classic summer storm in South Carolina.

Holden Caspersen #58 of the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium on September 20, 2025

Re-focus

Perhaps, the weather delay in Clemson isn’t actually a bad thing for the Tigers. With the program struggling to start the game at home, the prolonged halftime could come in handy for Dabo Swinney to rally the troops and turn the tide in the second half.

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Cade Klubnik and the Tigers got off to a slow start as Syracuse stepped into the pedal. Steve Angeli and the Orange, on the other hand, looked in full control. Holding a 24-14 lead at the time of the weather stoppage, Cuse walked into Clemson’s home decided to run the table. So far so good, but there’s much football left to be played. Though it’s unclear when the action will indeed resume.

It’s still anyone’s game, nevertheless. It could all change in the second half. The weather delay could turn out to be a momentum killer for Syracuse, who is looking for a statement win to kickstart its ACC schedule in the 2025 college football season.