Ball State at Miami delayed start to be determined due to lightning

After an initial scheduled kickoff of 3:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Ball State at Miami was delayed due to lightning in the area. Ball State at Miami is in its second lightning delay. After the first delay, the game was rescheduled with a 4:45 PM kickoff. There is no scheduled start time with the new delay.

The later start will help Ball State minimize playing in the heat. The forecast at 4:45 is Cloudy, 82°, with a 21 percent chance of rain and wind out of the South/Southeast at eight miles per hour. The cloud cover and humidity are forecast for 79 percent at 5 PM.

At 5 PM, Miami Gardens is forecast for a feel-like temperature of 91° with a UV of two out of 11. The forecast is for the temperature to remain in the low eighties throughout the evening in Miami Gardens. Conditioning is likely to be a big factor for Ball State. The more the game is pushed into the evening is a benefit for Ball State.

Miami enters the game 2-0 after wins over Florida and Florida A&M to begin the season. Ball State is 1-0 after winning its season opener versus Missouri State last week. Ball State and Miami are playing for the first time. Miami last played a Mid-American Conference team in the 2023 season opener with a 38-3 win over Miami (Ohio).

Ball State is experienced versus Power Conference teams. Kentucky beat Ball State 44-14 in the 2023 season opener and the Cardinals lost 45-3 in week two at Florida. Miami is a 36.5-point favorite over Ball State with an over/under of 55.5 per FanDuel. There is no moneyline set for Ball State at Miami.

The @Canesfootball account on Twitter and the official broadcast on 560 WQAM are providing frequent updates about when kickoff should be expected for Ball State at Miami. As of 4:49 PM ET Miami play-by-play announcer Joe Zagacki reported the rain is subsiding at Hard Rock Stadium.