On Friday morning, the Florida State football team boarded team buses, headed for the Tallahassee airport and boarded flights bound for Fort Lauderdale.
As that happened, FSU tight ends coach Tim Brewster took to social media and wrote on Twitter, "On way to Miami ... ..Game On!!"
By late Friday afternoon, Miami made it official, announcing the game Saturday night was still set for an 8:14 EDT kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium, though the tailgate period would be shortened with the Green and RV lots opening at 4 p.m., while the Blue, Maroon, Yellow, Purple and Orange lots would open at 5 p.m.
"The decision to move forward with the game came after numerous conversations between Florida State, the ACC, Hard Rock Stadium, the University of Miami and through consultation with Miami-Dade County," the school wrote in its release.
In a statement, Hard Rock Stadium said the tailgate adjustments had to be made because of storm preparations that had to be made prior to the game, as well as the fact the Dolphins are slated to play at the stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m.
"The storm preparation activities in the days prior to the game combined with having another game within hours the next day created unique logistical challenges that required us to make these adjustments," Hard Rock Stadium Senior Vice President of Operations Todd Boyan in the statement. "We're grateful to still be able to have the game and appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation tomorrow in helping us keep everyone safe and have things run smoothly."
Miami also announced that the game will begin with a moment of silence in recognition for all those impacted by Hurricane Matthew, while both teams will wear helmet stickers featuring the state of Florida covered by the Red Cross logo. The schools will also present a check for $50,000 prior to the game for hurricane relief efforts, and fans will be provided opportunities at the stadium to support those efforts as well.
While FSU traveled south on Friday, the Hurricanes managed a practice and team meeting Thursday as the worst of Hurricane Matthew remained to the east of Miami-Dade County, which never experienced hurricane conditions.
