The James Franklin era at Virginia Tech got off to a scary start Saturday, when the Hokies’ spring football game was delayed after a parachutist hit the Lane Stadium scoreboard and had to be rescued.

The parachutist was part of a three-person team, according to a university statement provided to The Athletic, and was carrying the American flag when he landed on the scoreboard and hung there suspended shortly before kickoff, which was set for 3 p.m. ET.

“One of three parachutists was blown off course and got stuck on our stadium scoreboard,” the university statement read. “First responders from Virginia Tech and the Town of Blacksburg quickly responded and within 15 minutes had him safely on the ground. He was checked by medical (personnel) on site and was released. No serious injuries. Grateful for the rapid response and safe outcome.”

Only one of the three skydivers landed on the field as planned Saturday, the university confirmed, as wind gusts pushed another onto the adjacent practice field.

The game was briefly delayed due to the rescue operation, and players were not immediately brought onto the field.

The spring game was the first look at a new Hokies team assembled under Franklin. The longtime Penn State head coach was fired following a 3-3 start to the 2025 season after 11-plus years at the helm in Happy Valley. He was later hired to replace Brent Pry at Virginia Tech.

Franklin is tasked with revitalizing a program that has struggled in recent years. Pry’s best campaign in his four seasons in Blacksburg was a 7-6 record in 2023. The last time the Hokies won at least eight games was in 2019 under Justin Fuente, and the last time the program won 10 games was in 2016.

Franklin’s Nittany Lions won double-digit games six times in Franklin’s first 11 seasons leading Penn State. That included the three seasons that preceded a disappointing 2025 campaign. Franklin led Penn State to the College Football Playoff semifinals in the first year of the expanded 12-team playoff.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

© 2026 The New York Times Company