Arizona State Forced into 1,900-Mile Game-Day Flight Following FAA Ground Stop

ORLANDO, Fla. — Arizona State’s kickoff at UCF on Saturday was pushed back two hours to 5:30 p.m. ET after a nationwide FAA ground stop stranded the Sun Devils in Arizona on Friday. The shift forces the team into a grueling 1,900-mile same-day flight across two time zones to make the cross-country matchup.

The travel disruption began Friday afternoon when domestic departures were halted at 3:54 p.m. ET, keeping the squad stuck aboard their plane on the tarmac for two hours before returning to team facilities. Strength coach Joe Connolly reported that luggage, keys, and wallets stayed locked on the aircraft, leaving between 20 and 30 players unable to access their apartments overnight. After federal authorities lifted the ground stop shortly after 10 p.m. ET, both universities adjusted the kickoff time to accommodate the Sun Devils' emergency schedule.

Under the revised plan, Arizona State set a 5 a.m. local team meeting and a 6 a.m. flight, aiming to land in Florida by noon ET. With minimal time remaining for a pregame meal and brief warm-up session, head coach Kenny Dillingham stressed mental preparation over the logistical hurdle, downplaying the setback to keep his roster focused.

What to watch next: Arizona State's training staff plans to use resistance bands and soft-tissue treatments immediately after landing to help players recover from the four-hour flight before taking the field.