On Saturday, the LSU Football team kept the momentum headed in the right direction with an incredible second half as the Tigers beat UCLA 34-17. While Tiger Stadium should have been buzzing as the LSU Football team was in a battle for a while, it was quieter than expected. That was because an entire half of Tiger Stadium was completely empty.
East side (sun side) vs west side (shade since kickoff) pic.twitter.com/LupHXvV4fE
— Shmatie Shmenny Hero (@penny_kt_lsu) September 21, 2024
Now this wasn't because the fans didn't show up or because the fan base left the game early but, for a concerning reason. The heat in Baton Rouge was at an all-time high, with sideline reporter Katie George reporting at the start of the game that the thermometer on the LSU sideline was reading 130 degrees because of the turf on the sideline.
The heat was so bad that EMS was attending to over 100 people during the game for heat related issues. The medical room at Tiger Stadium was packed at halftime as 70 people went to be treated for heat related issues.
Talked with some medical professionals on my way up to the press box and they said the number of people who have been taken to the "medical room" is north of 70. https://t.co/9hvQhbxkgo
— Bryce Koon (@bryce_koon) September 21, 2024
LSU knew this game was going to be a scorcher as they posted earlier in the week allowing fans to bring in one sealed water bottle up to 32 ounces.
Hydrate for game day! Fans can bring one sealed water bottle up to 32 ounces into Tiger Stadium! pic.twitter.com/fkSOx6yFmI
— LSU Game Operations (@LSUgameops) September 20, 2024
This wasn't just an issue at LSU as UL Lafayette fans were posting that they were dealing with similar issues for a game that started earlier than LSU's game.
Please no more 11 am games in Sept at least in South LA. That was dangerously hot. Saw at least 4 people having what appeared to be heat strokes and hauled off by ambulance.
— Louisiana Cajuns (2-1) (@UofLouisiana) September 21, 2024
Playing these games in the early day heat at high noon is a massive concern for the fans and the players on the field. The players are already carrying extra weight in all of these pads while we all expect them to fly around and play to the best of their ability.
Brian Kelly weighed in on the matter and said he'd also prefer these games were played at night but, its not up to him while joking about getting a retractable roof.
I asked @LSUfootball Brian Kelly about today's heat and if 2:30 pm games in September are a bad idea. Here's his answer. #LSU pic.twitter.com/BwAZaBG6QM
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) September 22, 2024
This may not be an issue for the rest of the season but, its something that needs to be figured out for 2025. The Tigers will host South Alabama at 6:45 Central time next weekend then they'll go on a bye week before facing off against Ole Miss.