College football teams were warned not to play during Hurricane Matthew, but not everyone listened.
Hurricane Matthew touched down in the southern coast bringing strong winds and massive rainfall. The storm caused widespread cancellations in the sports world. But, apparently, the weather wasn’t bad enough to cancel Notre Dame and North Carolina State’s matchup on Saturday. The two teams took the field this afternoon and let’s just say, the weather was suboptimal for football.
The weather led to substandard field conditions, turning Carter–Finley Stadium into a giant slip-and-slide.
meanwhile pic.twitter.com/a2uWu7pAKv
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) October 8, 2016
The torrential downfall made it tough to even snap the football.
Notre Dame-North Carolina State is a totally normal football game. pic.twitter.com/W7LVU2HQUd
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) October 8, 2016
I don’t blame the center, nor quarterback DeShone Kizer for screwing up a snap on first down.
Weather conditions making things, umm, interesting with Notre Dame and NC State https://t.co/YaXUazXBOw
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) October 8, 2016
Football diehards who chose to go up against the weather to watch some live football also had some issues with the rain.
Really enjoying the Notre Dame-NC State game. pic.twitter.com/g3rw4fxhMc
— SB Nation GIF (@SBNationGIF) October 8, 2016
The crappy weather did make for some awesome photos.
Rain? What rain? #CF50 pic.twitter.com/GfUDIRAGvD
— NC State University (@NCState) October 8, 2016
Wolves in the fog. Let's GO! pic.twitter.com/zdcyCwxC4F
— NC State University (@NCState) October 8, 2016
College football reigns supreme on Saturday in the United States, I get that. But, forcing student-athletes to play through a literal hurricane is dangerous, stupid and shocking. The game easily could have been postponed, instead, the NCAA is OK sending out students (attendees included) in frigid weather to watch an unplayable football game. It’s sad.
Under no circumstances, should the Notre Dame-NC State game gone ahead. You don’t mess with threatening weather. The final product isn’t worth the risk.