Notre Dame game suspended twice because of storms

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - This wasn't exactly the home opener that fans had been expecting for Notre Dame as they hosted South Florida for the season opener.

Severe weather caused the evacuation of more than 80,000 fans just after 5 p.m. Saturday night.

For the first time ever the emergency evacuation plan was put into place. Fans were moved to weather shelter locations in the stadium.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for St. Joseph County, which includes the city of South Bend and Notre Dame at 6:00 p.m. by the National Weather Service.

The storms had a history of large hail, heavy rain, with thunder and lightning.

The game was in half time at the time of the weather delay and evacuations.

Many fans left the stadium, not expecting Notre Dame to bounce back from a half time score of 16 - 0.

Fans were elbow-to-elbow in the waiting areas for more than two hours.

The weather delay was lifted around 7:15 p.m. and the game continued.

At 8:45 p.m. a second weather delay was called and fans were again evacuated from the stands.

The score at the time of the second weather delay was 23-13, Notre Dame was down.

At this time the game has not been called. There is 4:31 left in the game.

Final score, 23 - 20, Notre Dame falls to South Florida in season opener.