Kent State Football

A field hockey game was stopped in double overtime Saturday in order for the Kent State football team to release pregame fireworks, Heather Dinich of ESPN reported. 

Temple and No. 24 Maine had battled to a 0-0 tie through the first overtime in a match that took place on the Kent State campus. School officials then halted the game because of fire marshal regulations for the fireworks.

Maine field hockey player Riley Field provided a quick video of the fireworks in question:

Kent State began its football game on time at noon, beating Kennesaw State 26-23 in overtime. The field hockey game was later deemed a scrimmage for NCAA reporting purposes.

Temple coach Susan Ciufo provided harsh criticism after the incident:

"I think it's just where we're at with female sports. As much as we have come a long way, there's still a long way to go. Saturday is the perfect example. To kick off two Division I teams when they're about to go into double overtime for fireworks is just, it's beyond me. I think it's a disgrace to both programs, the families and the schools. I wish there was some better decision-making throughout the process in recognizing what this could mean in the bigger picture moving forward."

There are reportedly no plans to resume the game on another date.

Former Kent State running back Jerry Flowers is reportedly suing the NCAA for allegedly concealing concussion information. 

TMZ Sports reported the news Tuesday, noting Flowers—who played at Kent State in 2005—and at least one other person are suing for more than $5 million for fraud, negligence and breach of contract. Flowers said he suffered "numerous concussions" as a player and now has "several symptoms indicative of long-term brain and neurocognitive injuries."

He believes he suffers from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

The lawsuit alleges the NCAA both concealed data regarding the long-term effects of concussions and didn't properly warn players that the helmets used weren't fully protective against concussions.

Flowers tallied 304 rushing yards, 85 receiving yards and three total touchdowns during his freshman season in 2005.

This comes after Tim Evans of the Indianapolis Star reported in November a federal lawsuit representing former Anderson University player Jeffrey Williams and other student-athletes was filed against the NCAA and alleged the organization sacrificed student-athlete safety "in favor of profits and self-promotion" when it came to head injuries.

Evans noted the NCAA previously reached a $75 million settlement for a class-action concussion case but is still facing multiple lawsuits over its handling of head injuries and alleged failure to protect student-athletes.