Orchard Park, NY (Sports Network) - The Buffalo Bills 23-14 win over the San Diego Chargers at Ralph Wilson Stadium was significantly affected due to several power outages.
Ralph Wilson Stadium was beset by a power outage prior to the game after some helium balloons became entangled with a transformer across from the stadium.
"Early this afternoon after helium balloons with metallic tails were released near the stadium, the balloons ended up tangled in NYSEG power lines that serve the stadium, causing a power interruption," NYSEG Regional Public Relations Manager Randy Edwards said in a statement. "Service to the stadium was quickly switched to a second available service line. Several minutes after the power outage, the second line was affected by the same balloons and service had to be switched back to the original. In the midst of dealing with the balloons, about a mile from the stadium, there was a pole fire which caused and additional interruption."
Power was lost a total of three times with the first outage occurring about a half-hour before the scheduled 1 p.m. (et) kickoff. The game started on time but a purposeful shut down of power with 12:30 remaining in the first quarter, in an effort to rectify the problem indefinitely, failed when power again was lost just before halftime. Play resumed after the purposeful 15-20 minute delay but without broadcast coverage for some time and without the use of the scoreboard, instant replay or game clocks.
