College football game ends in bizarre tie after extreme heat stops overtime

College football game ends in bizarre tie after extreme heat stops overtime originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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College football delivered one of its strangest results Saturday, but the final score had nothing to do with a controversial penalty, replay review or missed call. Colorado School of Mines and Washburn finished in a 16-16 tie after dangerous heat conditions prevented the Division II programs from playing overtime in Topeka, Kansas.

The game was originally scheduled for noon CT before officials moved it to 7:05 p.m. It was later shifted again, this time to 9:05 a.m., in an effort to avoid the worst of a heat wave affecting the region. Even the early start was not enough.

The wet-bulb temperature exceeded the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association’s safety protocols by the end of regulation, according to Yahoo Sports. The heat index had climbed to approximately 107 degrees. Because temperatures were not expected to return to an acceptable level for several hours, the schools agreed to end the game instead of waiting until the evening to play overtime. 

Missed kick produces extremely rare college football result

Colorado School of Mines had an opportunity to avoid the unusual finish.

✍️ A Division II game was called off and ruled a 16-16 tie due to extreme heat conditions.

Colorado School of Mines and Washburn were set to go to overtime. Heat index was 108 degrees.

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— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) September 5, 2026

The Orediggers carried a 16-10 advantage late in the fourth quarter after Preston Kyle connected on two second-half field goals. Washburn responded when Nathan Lewis Jr. scored on a long touchdown reception in the closing minutes.

The Ichabods’ extra-point attempt was blocked, leaving the score tied at 16.

Kyle then attempted a 64-yard field goal as regulation expired but could not convert. Under normal circumstances, the teams would have immediately prepared for overtime.

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Instead, players were sent away from the field as officials evaluated the conditions. With no quick relief in the forecast, the tie became official. It was Colorado School of Mines’ first tie since 1977. Washburn moved to 1-0-1, while the Orediggers left Topeka with an 0-1-1 record.

The result also highlighted a larger issue confronting college football as extreme weather affects more early-season games. South Carolina and Kent State shortened their fourth quarter Saturday, while Georgia reportedly played the hottest home game in program history.

Nobody wants to see a game end without a winner. However, asking players to compete in overtime with the heat index approaching 110 degrees would have created an unnecessary risk.

The final score may look like a mistake decades from now. It was actually the product of a difficult but responsible decision.

The takeaway: College football’s strangest score of the weekend was also a reminder that player safety must come before finding a winner.