Arizona State University’s football team faced an unexpected travel snag on Friday when the Federal Aviation Administration issued a nationwide ground stop that grounded flights at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The disruption forced the Sun Devils to return to Tempe and reschedule their departure for Saturday morning, delaying the kickoff of their season‑opening matchup against the University of Central Florida.
Ground stop details and impact on the game
The FAA halted flights shortly after 2 p.m. due to air‑traffic‑control communications problems, affecting more than 400 flights at Sky Harbor. After the two‑hour limit on the ground stop elapsed, the agency lifted the restriction, allowing airlines to resume operations.
Because the Sun Devils could not depart as planned, the Big 12 Conference announced that the game in Orlando would start two hours later than originally scheduled, moving the kickoff to 3:30 p.m. Mountain time (5:30 p.m. Eastern). The adjustment gives the team additional time to travel safely to the Orange Bowl stadium.
Broader effects on college football travel
The FAA’s nationwide pause impacted numerous college football programs. ESPN reported that at least ten Power Five conference teams experienced travel delays or cancellations. One notable example was the University of Utah, which was unable to leave for its game against the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson.
While the Sun Devils and other teams navigated the unexpected delay, airport officials worked to clear the backlog of flights and restore normal operations at Phoenix Sky Harbor.
Big 12 response
The Big 12 Conference issued a statement confirming the revised kickoff time and emphasizing its commitment to player safety and fan experience. The conference also thanked the FAA for promptly lifting the ground stop and restoring air travel for the affected teams.
Fans in Orlando and Arizona were advised to adjust their plans accordingly, with ticket holders receiving updated information through official team channels and the stadium’s website.
Looking ahead
ASU’s coaching staff expressed confidence that the team will be ready to compete despite the travel hiccup. Head coach Kenny Dillingham noted that the extra preparation time could be beneficial, allowing players to review the game plan and recover from the long travel day.
The Sun Devils are slated to open the 2026 season against UCF on Saturday, with the outcome expected to set the tone for the rest of the Big 12 schedule.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
