A line of thunderstorms caused a delay while the Hoosiers and Spartans were at halftime. Here's what we know.
A one-day warm-up in temperature also brought an increased risk of severe thunderstorms, which impacted the Indiana football homecoming game against Michigan State.
The No. 3 Hoosiers (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) had a historic week and were ready to put it "in the rearview mirror" with Saturday's kick off. It presented an opportunity to remain undefeated and potentially move up to No. 2 nationally after Miami (Florida) lost Friday night.
But first, IU needed to get past a battered and bruised Spartans team. The Hoosiers were coming off a historic win at previously No. 2 Oregon. One day later, coach Curt Cignetti was speculated with the Penn State job after IU grad Pat Kraft fired James Franklin. IU's response was to make Cignetti the third-highest paid coach in the country with an average annual value of $11.6 million per year through 2033.
But putting all that behind them didn't come without a hangup. Severe thunderstorms and lightning have delayed the game in Bloomington. For how long is up to Mother Nature.
A lightning strike within 10 miles of Memorial Stadium automatically leads to a 30-minute delay, and the clock resets with each successive strike.
According to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, there was a hazardous weather outlook for Saturday. The statement read, "Thunderstorms are possible this afternoon focused mainly across the northwest half of central Indiana, with additional thunderstorms over the entire area late tonight. A few storms may produce strong wind gusts this afternoon, then again overnight as a narrow line of storms tracks quickly east. Locally heavy rainfall is possible. Cloud to ground lightning is a threat with any thunderstorm."
Indiana weather radar map today, Oct. 18, 2025. Severe weather for Michigan State vs. Indiana football game today. Is Michigan State vs IU in a weather delay?
This story will be updated.
Want more Hoosiers coverage? Sign up for IndyStar's Hoosiers newsletter. Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana football game Michigan State weather delay: Radar, updates, lightning
Category: General Sports
