Kickoff between Arkansas and Texas A&M has officially been pushed back to 4:30 p.m. CT due to the threat of severe weather in Fayetteville, the Razorbacks announced Saturday morning. The game was originally set for 2:30 p.m., but heavy rain, lightning, and high winds prompted officials to delay the start for the safety of players, staff, and fans at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Fayetteville and surrounding areas, warning of strong winds and potential lightning strikes throughout the early afternoon hours. According to The Weather Channel, the storms are expected to persist until around 5 p.m., with a gradual clearing expected shortly after. The new kickoff time is designed to allow the worst of the weather to pass before players take the field, ensuring safer conditions for both the teams and the thousands of fans expected to attend.
This marks the second weather-related delay for Arkansas this season and the first time since 2018 that a Razorbacks home game has been pushed back due to inclement weather. University officials said they worked closely with SEC administrators, ESPN broadcast partners, and local meteorologists to determine the new start time, emphasizing that the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution.”
“The safety of our student-athletes, coaches, and fans is always our top priority,” said Arkansas Athletics Director Hunter Yurachek in a brief statement. “After consulting with weather experts and the Southeastern Conference, we agreed that delaying kickoff was the best course of action. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and patience.”
Both programs have adjusted their pregame schedules accordingly. Arkansas players were expected to go through their normal warmups at approximately 12:45 p.m., but those sessions were temporarily suspended as lightning moved through the area. Team buses remained at their hotels while stadium personnel cleared the stands and worked to ensure the facility was safe for the eventual restart.
For Texas A&M, the delay adds another wrinkle to what has already been a challenging road trip. The Aggies arrived in Fayetteville on Friday night and held a brief walkthrough early Saturday before the storms began. Head coach Mike Elko said the team was staying focused despite the weather disruptions.
“We’ve dealt with delays before,” Elko told reporters during the pregame update. “Our guys understand that when kickoff comes, whenever that is, we’ll be ready to play. It’s part of the game this time of year, especially in the South where the weather can change fast.”
The matchup between the Razorbacks (3–3) and the Aggies (4–2) carries significant weight in the SEC West standings. Arkansas is looking to bounce back after a narrow loss to Auburn, while Texas A&M hopes to build on its impressive defensive showing against Mississippi State last weekend. The delay won’t change the stakes — if anything, it could heighten the intensity once play begins.
Meteorologists in Fayetteville are predicting that the storms will weaken considerably by late afternoon, giving way to cooler temperatures and clearer skies by kickoff. Winds are expected to remain around 10–15 mph, but rain chances will drop below 20% as the game progresses. Stadium staff have advised fans to monitor official Razorbacks social media channels for updates throughout the day and to take necessary precautions during the weather delay.
ESPN, which is televising the matchup nationally, also confirmed that it will adjust its programming to accommodate the new game time. The network will provide expanded pregame coverage leading up to kickoff, including live weather updates and on-site analysis from its SEC Nation crew stationed in Fayetteville.
Fans who arrived early to tailgate were urged to seek shelter as lightning approached midday. Parking lots surrounding the stadium were temporarily closed during the height of the storm but are expected to reopen before fans are allowed to re-enter the gates. Officials said ticket holders should hold onto their original passes, as no new entry scans will be required once the stadium reopens.
The delay could have a subtle impact on both teams’ game plans. Extended downtime can affect players’ warmup routines, energy levels, and hydration schedules. Coaches often face the challenge of keeping athletes mentally engaged and physically ready during prolonged weather interruptions.
“The key is communication and focus,” Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman said in a statement. “You can’t control the weather, but you can control how you respond to it. Our guys will stay loose, stay ready, and when it’s time to go, we’ll go.”
Once the skies clear, fans can expect an intense, physical battle between two of the SEC’s most evenly matched squads. Both teams rank in the top half of the conference in total defense, while each features a powerful ground game capable of controlling the tempo. Arkansas running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders is expected to play a key role after returning from injury, while A&M quarterback Conner Weigman will look to continue his recent string of efficient performances.
With kickoff now set for 4:30 p.m. CT, all eyes will turn back to Fayetteville as the weather settles and the SEC showdown finally gets underway. The atmosphere promises to be electric once fans return to their seats, ready to watch the Razorbacks and Aggies battle under clearer skies.
For now, both teams and their supporters will have to wait just a little longer. But when the whistle finally blows, the storm will have passed, and the focus will shift back to football, where it belongs.
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