New LSU head coach Lane Kiffin's inaugural game on Saturday night against Clemson in Tiger Stadium was delayed by at least 90 minutes due to heavy rain and lightning. Despite the weather, Kiffin was accompanied by a group of notable figures including social media personality Livvy Dunne and model Brooks Nader.
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Stand-up comedian Theo Von also joined Kiffin, interacting with fans before the game. Dunne, a former LSU gymnast, is a frequent attendee at the university's sporting events.
The start of Kiffin's tenure has been accompanied by controversy regarding his recruitment of former Ole Miss players Zxavian Harris and Dae´Quan Wright, who had previously spent time with NFL clubs. This practice has drawn criticism from some college football figures, including Clemson's Dabo Swinney, and has led to legal challenges, with the SEC suing LSU in federal court over the matter.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has emphasized the importance of maintaining a distinction between professional and college sports, even as college athletes benefit from NIL deals. Kiffin, however, views these player acquisitions as reflective of how professional sports operate, stating that he discussed the idea with LSU team leaders who were supportive.
Meanwhile, ESPN's College GameDay broadcast experienced disruptions due to the same storm that delayed the game. The show's crew, including host Rece Davis and analysts Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard, along with former coach Nick Saban, were forced to evacuate their outdoor set and temporarily move operations inside due to lightning in the area. The crew managed to resume broadcasting from an impromptu indoor location within 12 minutes before eventually returning outside once the weather cleared.