Fans waiting to see the Gophers football team kick off its 2024 season against North Carolina at Huntington Bank Stadium on Thursday night will have to wait another hour.

Gophers officials announced at 3:45 p.m. that kickoff would be at 8:01 p.m. Central, an hour later than originally announced. The game will still be televised on FOX and broadcast on the Gopher Radio Network.

St. Thomas also announced that its season opener against Sioux Falls, originally scheduled for 6 p.m., has been postponed to 8 p.m.

The decision to delay the Gophers’ start time was made after consultation with the National Weather Service, the Big Ten, and campus and city partners. Potential severe weather is expected to hit campus in the early evening. Fans are encouraged to take necessary precautions ahead of tonight’s game. Fans who are on campus can seek shelter at Williams Arena or 3M Arena at Mariucci if necessary. Huntington Bank Stadium’s premium gates open at 5:00 p.m., with general public gates opening at 6:30 p.m.

If there are lightning strikes within 8 miles of the stadium, the game will be delayed an additional 30 minutes. Additional lightning strikes in the area would reset the clock for an additional 30 minutes before the game could start or resume.