FCS Kickoff Classic: UC Davis-Mercer game at Cramton Bowl declared no contest after long weather delay
Football fans seek shelter under the bleachers at Cramton Bowl as the FCS Kickoff Classic was halted due to lightning, Saturday, September 23, 2025 – Photo from WAKA Action 8 News
The FCS Kickoff game between the University of California Davis and Mercer University at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery was declared a no contest after a weather delay of about 1 1/2 hours Saturday night.
UC Davis, ranked No. 7 in the FCS coaches poll, had a 23-17 lead over No. 11 Mercer when play was stopped shortly after 9PM with about 7 1/2 minutes left.
Scoreboard at the FCS Kickoff Classic when the game was halted in the fourth quarter due to lightning near Cramton Bowl, Saturday, August 23, 2025 – Photo from WAKA Action 8 News
Shortly after 11PM., Mercer’s official account on X posted that “Tonight’s 11th Annual FCS Kickoff has been declared a “No Contest” due to rain and intermittent lightning that has continued to move through central Alabama. All statistics from tonight’s game have been voided.”
UC Davis posted: “Mother Nature wins the day as tonight’s game in Montgomery has been called a no contest.”
UC Davis had led the entire game, but Mercer had been mounting a comeback when the game was halted. Fans were told to leave their seats and seek safety, due to frequent vivid lightning. Many clustered in the walkways under the bleachers.
(Copyright 2025 The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
