College Football on ABC
Encyclopedia
ESPN College Football on ABC presented by Kay Jewelers is a presentation of the American Broadcasting Company
's (ABC) regular season American college football
television package (separate from Saturday Night Football). The television network (which broadcast regular season college football in 1950 and has every year since 1966) broadcasts games of all the major conferences of Division I-A National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) football except the Southeastern Conference
.
with his down-home, folsky style symbolized college football has served as its unofficial voice.
By 1950, a small number of prominent football schools, including the University of Pennsylvania (ABC) and the University of Notre Dame
(DuMont Television Network
) had entered into individual contracts with networks to broadcast their games regionally. In fact, all of Penn's home games were broadcast on ABC during the 1950 season under a contract that paid Penn $150,000. However, prior to the 1951 season, the NCAA – alarmed by reports that indicated television decreased attendance at games – asserted control and prohibited live broadcasts of games. Although the NCAA successfully forced Penn and Notre Dame to break their contracts, the NCAA suffered withering attacks for its 1951 policy, faced threats of antitrust
hearings and eventually caved in and lifted blackouts of certain sold-out games. Bowl games were always outside the control of the NCAA, and the 1952 Rose Bowl at the end of that season was the first truly national telecast of a college football game, on NBC
.
For the 1952 season, the NCAA relented somewhat, but limited telecasts to one nationally-broadcast game each week. The NCAA sold the exclusive rights to broadcast the weekly game to NBC for $1,144,000. The first game shown under this contract was Texas Christian University
against the University of Kansas
, on September 20, 1952.
The NCAA believed that broadcasting one game a week would prevent further controversy while limiting any decrease in attendance. However, the Big Ten Conference
was unhappy with the arrangement, and it pressured the NCAA to allow regional telecasts as well. Finally, in 1955 the NCAA revised its plan, keeping eight national games while permitting regional telecasts during five specified weeks of the season. ABC won the contract under this arrangement for the 1966 season onwards. This was essentially the television plan that stayed in place until the University of Oklahoma
and the University of Georgia
filed suit against the NCAA in 1981, alleging antitrust violations.
In 1997, ABC began using the fixed scoreboard on its broadcasts.
Keith Jackson
, who was supposed to retire after the 1999 season, stayed in until 2005, in which he announced games televised primarily from the west coast, where he is based. His last broadcast was the 2006 Rose Bowl
.
In 2000, with Jackson cutting back his schedule, ABC began the year with the Jackson and Bob Griese
team intact, albeit not as the lead one to handling almost exclusively Pac-10 action; Brent Musburger
and Dan Fouts
returning as was the long-time tandem of Brad Nessler
and Gary Danielson
. These assignments were not permanent and many different combinations were used ABC locked their broadcasters teams in mid-season. Jackson was teamed with Fouts, Musburger was paired with Danielson, and Nessler with Bob Griese.
Prior to the addition of the 12th game on a permanent basis in 2002, ABC aired pre-season classics including the Kickoff Classic
and Pigskin Classic
.
In the 2005 season, ABC aired 77 games in 36 windows including the National Championship.
The 2006 season was marked by a lot of reshuffling in addition to Jackson, as Lynn Swann
left for a failed political run, Aaron Taylor left to pursue a career change, and Gary Danielson went to CBS
to cover SEC action
. As a result Dan Fouts
began calling play-by-play.
ESPN
, which is mostly owned by Disney
, has also increased their presence on ABC over the years. The College GameDay personalities typically appear during halftime of the 3:30 game (often to preview the Saturday Night Football game they may have done the show from) and when they are on-site during the Saturday night game. However, since Lee Corso's stroke in 2009, he has not appeared with the crew. In addition, the announcers have become increasingly interchangeable, starting in 2008. From the 2006 season onward, as part of a network-wide rebranding of sports coverage
, broadcasts on ABC are now presented under ESPN branding and graphics as ESPN College Football on ABC.
During the 2006, 2007 and 2008 seasons, the presenting sponsor was Best Buy. Since 2009 , the presenting sponsor has been Kay Jewelers.
On November 18, 2006, ABC had the highest rating and most-viewed contest in over 13 years when #1 Ohio State
beat #2 Michigan
42–39.
Notre Dame-Michigan State is broadcast every other year on ABC.
ABC's bowl coverage consists of the Outback Bowl
on New Year's Day. It will also include the Liberty Bowl
in 2011.
before the slate of games at 3:00 pm ET with the studio crew.
While ABC has exclusive rights to the BCS bowl games from 1998 to 2005, they aired a Bowl Championship Series Selection Show after Championship Weekend ended on the Sunday after the games.
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's (ABC) regular season American college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
television package (separate from Saturday Night Football). The television network (which broadcast regular season college football in 1950 and has every year since 1966) broadcasts games of all the major conferences of Division I-A National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) football except the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
.
1950, 1966–1997
ABC has historically aired the premiere games since it has had all major conference contracts at one time or another. Keith JacksonKeith Jackson
Keith Jackson is an American sportscaster, known for his long career with ABC Sports , his coverage of college football , his style of folksy, down-to-earth commentary, and his distinctive voice, with its deep cadence, and operatic tone considered "like Edward R...
with his down-home, folsky style symbolized college football has served as its unofficial voice.
By 1950, a small number of prominent football schools, including the University of Pennsylvania (ABC) and the University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
(DuMont Television Network
DuMont Television Network
The DuMont Television Network, also known as the DuMont Network, DuMont, Du Mont, or Dumont was one of the world's pioneer commercial television networks, rivalling NBC for the distinction of being first overall. It began operation in the United States in 1946. It was owned by DuMont...
) had entered into individual contracts with networks to broadcast their games regionally. In fact, all of Penn's home games were broadcast on ABC during the 1950 season under a contract that paid Penn $150,000. However, prior to the 1951 season, the NCAA – alarmed by reports that indicated television decreased attendance at games – asserted control and prohibited live broadcasts of games. Although the NCAA successfully forced Penn and Notre Dame to break their contracts, the NCAA suffered withering attacks for its 1951 policy, faced threats of antitrust
Antitrust
The United States antitrust law is a body of laws that prohibits anti-competitive behavior and unfair business practices. Antitrust laws are intended to encourage competition in the marketplace. These competition laws make illegal certain practices deemed to hurt businesses or consumers or both,...
hearings and eventually caved in and lifted blackouts of certain sold-out games. Bowl games were always outside the control of the NCAA, and the 1952 Rose Bowl at the end of that season was the first truly national telecast of a college football game, on NBC
Notre Dame Football on NBC
Notre Dame Football on NBC is a presentation of the Notre Dame football television package on NBC. The television network broadcasts all Notre Dame home games.-History:...
.
For the 1952 season, the NCAA relented somewhat, but limited telecasts to one nationally-broadcast game each week. The NCAA sold the exclusive rights to broadcast the weekly game to NBC for $1,144,000. The first game shown under this contract was Texas Christian University
TCU Horned Frogs football
The TCU Horned Frogs football team is the intercollegiate football team of Texas Christian University. TCU competes as a member of the Mountain West Conference in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, but will move to the Big 12 Conference for the 2012 season. TCU began playing football...
against the University of Kansas
Kansas Jayhawks football
The Kansas Jayhawks football program is the intercollegiate football program of the University of Kansas Jayhawks. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference....
, on September 20, 1952.
The NCAA believed that broadcasting one game a week would prevent further controversy while limiting any decrease in attendance. However, the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
was unhappy with the arrangement, and it pressured the NCAA to allow regional telecasts as well. Finally, in 1955 the NCAA revised its plan, keeping eight national games while permitting regional telecasts during five specified weeks of the season. ABC won the contract under this arrangement for the 1966 season onwards. This was essentially the television plan that stayed in place until the University of Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
and the University of Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs football
The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
filed suit against the NCAA in 1981, alleging antitrust violations.
In 1997, ABC began using the fixed scoreboard on its broadcasts.
1998–2005
ABC was awarded the first exclusive BCS contract beginning in 1999, however they lost rights to games other than the Rose Bowl after the 2005–06 season. However, the Rose Bowl contract ran until 2010.Keith Jackson
Keith Jackson
Keith Jackson is an American sportscaster, known for his long career with ABC Sports , his coverage of college football , his style of folksy, down-to-earth commentary, and his distinctive voice, with its deep cadence, and operatic tone considered "like Edward R...
, who was supposed to retire after the 1999 season, stayed in until 2005, in which he announced games televised primarily from the west coast, where he is based. His last broadcast was the 2006 Rose Bowl
2006 Rose Bowl
The 2006 Rose Bowl Game, played on January 4, 2006, was a football game that served as the national championship of the 2005-2006 Bowl Championship Series...
.
In 2000, with Jackson cutting back his schedule, ABC began the year with the Jackson and Bob Griese
Bob Griese
Robert Allen "Bob" Griese is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who earned All-American honors with the Purdue Boilermakers before being drafted in 1967 by the American Football League's Miami Dolphins...
team intact, albeit not as the lead one to handling almost exclusively Pac-10 action; Brent Musburger
Brent Musburger
Brent Woody Musburger is an American sportscaster for the ESPN and ABC television networks. Formerly with CBS Sports and one of the original members of their legendary program The NFL Today, Musburger has covered NASCAR, NBA, MLB, NCAA football and basketball games. Musburger has also served as a...
and Dan Fouts
Dan Fouts
Daniel Francis Fouts is a retired Hall of Fame American football quarterback in the National Football League. Fouts played his entire professional career with the San Diego Chargers from 1973 through 1987...
returning as was the long-time tandem of Brad Nessler
Brad Nessler
Bradley "Brad" Nessler is an American sportscaster, who currently calls college basketball and college football games for ESPN with occasional appearances on ESPN on ABC. He will also call Thursday Night Football on NFL Network beginning in 2011, and appears annually as a commentator in EA Sports'...
and Gary Danielson
Gary Danielson
Gary Danielson is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the National Football League . He played for the Detroit Lions from 1976 to 1984 and for the Cleveland Browns in 1985, 1987, and 1988...
. These assignments were not permanent and many different combinations were used ABC locked their broadcasters teams in mid-season. Jackson was teamed with Fouts, Musburger was paired with Danielson, and Nessler with Bob Griese.
Prior to the addition of the 12th game on a permanent basis in 2002, ABC aired pre-season classics including the Kickoff Classic
Kickoff Classic
The Kickoff Classic was a season-opening college football game played at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey from 1983 to 2002.-History:...
and Pigskin Classic
Pigskin Classic
The Pigskin Classic was a season-opening college football game played at Anaheim Stadium from 1990 until 1994, and continued from 1995-2002 at various stadiums. It was initially created as a west-coast counterpart of the Kickoff Classic and hosted by the National Association of Collegiate Directors...
.
In the 2005 season, ABC aired 77 games in 36 windows including the National Championship.
2006–present
In recent years, there have been 2 set game windows in a typical week. Most Saturdays, there are regional games at 3:30 p.m. ET. Beginning with the 2006 season, ABC started regularly showing games at night under the Saturday Night Football umbrella, and noon-time games are telecast on an occasional basis. This marked a departure from 7 p.m. west-coast-only games and occasional 8 p.m. games. Also, the recently-developed BCS spotlight game was essentially replaced by Saturday Night Football.The 2006 season was marked by a lot of reshuffling in addition to Jackson, as Lynn Swann
Lynn Swann
-Collegiate:Swann attended the University of Southern California, where he was an All-American on the Trojans football team. He played under legendary coach John McKay, including the 1972 undefeated and national championship season. McKay said of Swann, "He has speed, soft hands, and grace." He...
left for a failed political run, Aaron Taylor left to pursue a career change, and Gary Danielson went to CBS
CBS Sports
CBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
to cover SEC action
SEC on CBS
The SEC on CBS is a presentation of the college football television package owned by CBS Sports...
. As a result Dan Fouts
Dan Fouts
Daniel Francis Fouts is a retired Hall of Fame American football quarterback in the National Football League. Fouts played his entire professional career with the San Diego Chargers from 1973 through 1987...
began calling play-by-play.
ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
, which is mostly owned by Disney
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
, has also increased their presence on ABC over the years. The College GameDay personalities typically appear during halftime of the 3:30 game (often to preview the Saturday Night Football game they may have done the show from) and when they are on-site during the Saturday night game. However, since Lee Corso's stroke in 2009, he has not appeared with the crew. In addition, the announcers have become increasingly interchangeable, starting in 2008. From the 2006 season onward, as part of a network-wide rebranding of sports coverage
ESPN on ABC
ESPN on ABC is the brand used for sports programming on the ABC television network. Officially the broadcast network retains its own sports division; however, for all practical purposes, ABC's sports division has been merged with ESPN, a sports cable network majority-owned by ABC's parent, The...
, broadcasts on ABC are now presented under ESPN branding and graphics as ESPN College Football on ABC.
During the 2006, 2007 and 2008 seasons, the presenting sponsor was Best Buy. Since 2009 , the presenting sponsor has been Kay Jewelers.
On November 18, 2006, ABC had the highest rating and most-viewed contest in over 13 years when #1 Ohio State
2006 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 2006 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was an American football team representing the Ohio State University in the college football season of 2006-2007. The team's head coach was Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes played their home games in Ohio Stadium...
beat #2 Michigan
2006 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 2006 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2006 college football season. The team's head football coach was Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines came into the season with lower expectations than many Michigan teams of the previous few seasons, ranked #14...
42–39.
Personalities
2010 commentator pairings
- Sean McDonoughSean McDonoughSean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer...
, play-by-play, Matt MillenMatt MillenMatthew George "Matt" Millen is an American former National Football League linebacker and a former executive. Millen played for the Oakland Raiders, the San Francisco 49ers and the Washington Redskins. In Millen's 12-year NFL playing career, he played on four Super Bowl-winning teams...
, analyst, and Heather CoxHeather CoxHeather Cox is an American Sportscaster who is a sideline reporter for WNBA, NBA, college basketball and college football games on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC Sports. As Heather Schoeny, she played college volleyball at University of the Pacific...
, Jeannine Edwards, Shelly Smith or Quint KessenichQuint KessenichQuint Elroy Kessenich is an American sportscaster for ESPN and ABC television covering lacrosse, basketball, football, wrestling, and horse racing. He is a former All-American lacrosse goalkeeper. He attended the Johns Hopkins University from 1987 to 1990, where he was a two-time winner of the...
, sideline reporter.- Eleven games: Connecticut-Michigan, Florida State-Oklahoma (with Edwards), Nebraska-Washington (with Smith), UCLA-Texas, Michigan State-Michigan (with Kessenich), Texas-Nebraska (with Kessenich), Wisconsin-Iowa, Michigan State-Iowa, Northwestern-Penn State, Ohio State-Iowa (with Kessenich), and Michigan-Ohio State (with Kessenich).
- Ron FranklinRon FranklinRon Franklin is an American sportscaster, most notably with ESPN, where he was employed from 1987-2011. He was fired by ESPN on January 4, 2011 after allegedly making sexist comments to and then berating a colleague.He is married with one child...
, play-by-play, Ed CunninghamEd CunninghamEd Cunningham is a former professional American football player who played center for five seasons for the Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks. Prior to his professional career, Cunningham played center for the University of Washington Huskies, helping them win a National Championship in 1991...
, analyst, and Jeannine Edwards, sideline reporter.- Seven games: Iowa State-Iowa, Virginia Tech-NC State, Arkansas vs. Texas A&M, Iowa-Michigan, Nebraska-Oklahoma State (with Edwards), Missouri-Nebraska (with Edwards), and Colorado-Nebraska (with Edwards).
- Mike PatrickMike PatrickMike Patrick is an American sportscaster.-Career:Patrick began his broadcasting career in the fall of 1966 at WVSC-Radio in Somerset, Pa. In 1970, he was named Sports Director at WJXT-TV in Jacksonville, Fla., where he provided play-by-play for Jacksonville Sharks' World Football League telecasts...
, play-by-play, Craig JamesCraig JamesJesse Craig James is an American sports commentator for games on the ABC and ESPN television networks. Prior to becoming a sportscaster, James was a professional football player for the New England Patriots of the National Football League and for the Washington Federals of the United States...
, analyst, and Quint KessenichQuint KessenichQuint Elroy Kessenich is an American sportscaster for ESPN and ABC television covering lacrosse, basketball, football, wrestling, and horse racing. He is a former All-American lacrosse goalkeeper. He attended the Johns Hopkins University from 1987 to 1990, where he was a two-time winner of the...
, sideline reporter.- Six games: Arizona State-Wisconsin, Wake Forest-Florida State, Wisconsin-Michigan State (with Kessenich), Georgia Tech-Clemson, North Carolina-Florida State and Rutgers-West Virginia.
- Carter BlackburnCarter BlackburnCarter Blackburn is an American sportscaster. He currently works for ESPN and ESPNU as play-by-play announcer on various telecasts. By age thirty-one, Blackburn had called the NFL on Fox, NCAA Basketball Tournaments on CBS, and college football on ABC...
, play-by-play, and Mike Belotti and Brock HuardBrock HuardBrock Xavier Huard is a former American football quarterback in the NFL. Brock's brother, Damon, also played quarterback at the University of Washington and later played in the National Football League...
, analysts, and Shelly Smith, sideline reporter.- Five games: UCLA-Kansas State, Eastern Michigan-Ohio State, Clemson-North Carolina, Washington-Oregon (with Smith), and Texas Tech-Oklahoma.
- Mark Neely or Dave LamontDave LamontDave Lamont is an American sports commentator. He formerly hosted South Florida's First News weekday mornings from 5 to 9 on WIOD . He was the ringleader of SFFN and does everything from reporting to getting interactive with listeners. Lamont currently calls college football for ESPN and ABC.Lamont...
, play-by-play, and J.C. Pearson, analyst.- Two games: Kentucky-Louisville (with Lamont), and Virginia Tech-North Carolina.
- Beth MowinsBeth MowinsBeth Mowins is a play-by-play announcer and reporter for ESPN and CBS. She mostly calls women's college sports but became only the second woman to call nationally televised football games for ESPN in 2005...
, play-by-play, Ray BentleyRay BentleyRay Russell Bentley is a former professional American football linebacker.-Playing career:...
, analyst, and Jenn BrownJenn BrownJennifer "Jenn" Lynne Brown is an American television personality who is a sportscaster, TV host, producer, and a model. Brown currently works for ESPN as a reporter. She is a reporter for both College GameDay and College GameDay as well co-host of ESPNU's Road Trip with Jonathan Drubner...
or Quint KessenichQuint KessenichQuint Elroy Kessenich is an American sportscaster for ESPN and ABC television covering lacrosse, basketball, football, wrestling, and horse racing. He is a former All-American lacrosse goalkeeper. He attended the Johns Hopkins University from 1987 to 1990, where he was a two-time winner of the...
, sideline reporter.- Two games: Alabama-Duke, and West Virginia-Pittsburgh (with Kessenich).
- Brent MusburgerBrent MusburgerBrent Woody Musburger is an American sportscaster for the ESPN and ABC television networks. Formerly with CBS Sports and one of the original members of their legendary program The NFL Today, Musburger has covered NASCAR, NBA, MLB, NCAA football and basketball games. Musburger has also served as a...
, play-by-play, Kirk Herbstreet, analyst, and Erin AndrewsErin AndrewsErin Jill Andrews is an American sportscaster, journalist, and television personality. As of 2011 she is a co-host of the ESPN entertainment show College GameDay and a contributor for Good Morning America on the ABC network...
, sideline reporter.- Saturday Night Football crew
- One game: Penn State-Ohio State.
- Mike TiricoMike TiricoMichael Todd Tirico is an announcer for ESPN's presentation of Monday Night Football, and second lead broadcaster for ESPN's presentation of the NBA. In addition, Tirico hosts a multitude of programming on ESPN/ABC. He was the host of ABC's golf coverage from 1996 to 2007, and continues in that...
, play-by-play, Jon GrudenJon GrudenJon David Gruden is an American football analyst and former head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for seven seasons and prior to that the Oakland Raiders for four seasons. In his first year as the head coach of Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers won Super Bowl XXXVII, defeating the Raiders whom he had...
, analyst, and Suzy KolberSuzy KolberSuzanne Lisa "Suzy" Kolber is a football sideline reporter, co-producer, and sportscaster for ESPN. She was one of the original anchors of ESPN2 when it launched in 1993. Three years later, she left ESPN2 to join Fox Sports, but rejoined ESPN in late 1999....
, sideline reporter.- Monday Night Football crew
- One game: 2011 Outback Bowl2011 Outback BowlThe 2011 Outback Bowl was the 25th edition of the college football bowl game, and was played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The game kicked off at 1 p.m. US EST on January 1, 2011 and was telecasted on ABC...
- Dave PaschDave PaschDave Pasch is an American sportscaster. Pasch works for ESPN, for which he calls play-by-play of college football, college basketball, NBA, WNBA, and Arena football games. He has also been the radio voice for the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL since 2002, teaming with Ron Wolfley. In 2007, Pasch...
, play-by-play, Bob GrieseBob GrieseRobert Allen "Bob" Griese is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who earned All-American honors with the Purdue Boilermakers before being drafted in 1967 by the American Football League's Miami Dolphins...
and Chris SpielmanChris SpielmanCharles Christopher "Chris" Spielman is a former American football player and is currently an analyst for ESPN's coverage of college football games.-Football career:...
, analysts, and Quint KessenichQuint KessenichQuint Elroy Kessenich is an American sportscaster for ESPN and ABC television covering lacrosse, basketball, football, wrestling, and horse racing. He is a former All-American lacrosse goalkeeper. He attended the Johns Hopkins University from 1987 to 1990, where he was a two-time winner of the...
or Jeannine Edwards, sideline reporter.- ESPN crew
- Two games: Nebraska-Iowa State, and Northwestern-Wisconsin (with Edwards).
- Brad NesslerBrad NesslerBradley "Brad" Nessler is an American sportscaster, who currently calls college basketball and college football games for ESPN with occasional appearances on ESPN on ABC. He will also call Thursday Night Football on NFL Network beginning in 2011, and appears annually as a commentator in EA Sports'...
, play-by-play, Todd BlackledgeTodd BlackledgeTodd Alan Blackledge was an American football quarterback in both the NCAA and National Football League. In college, he led the Penn State Nittany Lions to a national championship; and, as a pro, he played for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers...
, analyst, and Holly RoweHolly RoweHolly Rowe is a sports telecaster currently working for the sports television network, ESPN. Rowe is best known as a sideline reporter for college football games which are telecast on ESPN.- History with ESPN :...
or Erin AndrewsErin AndrewsErin Jill Andrews is an American sportscaster, journalist, and television personality. As of 2011 she is a co-host of the ESPN entertainment show College GameDay and a contributor for Good Morning America on the ABC network...
, sideline reporter.- ESPN crew
- Two games: Oklahoma vs. Texas, and Oregon-Oregon State (with Andrews).
- Bob WischusenBob WischusenBob Wischusen is an American sports commentator who is currently a college football and basketball voice for ESPN and the radio voice for the New York Jets on WABC and WEPN.-Early life and career:...
, play-by-play, and Brian GrieseBrian GrieseBrian David Griese is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played high school football at Christopher Columbus High School and later college football at Michigan....
, analyst.- ESPN crew
- One game: Florida-Florida State.
2009 commentator pairings
- Sean McDonoughSean McDonoughSean McDonough is an American sportscaster, currently employed by ESPN.-Early life and career:The son of Boston Globe sportswriter Will McDonough, Sean graduated from Syracuse University in 1984. It was in Syracuse where McDonough began his broadcasting career in 1982 as the play-by-play announcer...
, play-by-play, Matt MillenMatt MillenMatthew George "Matt" Millen is an American former National Football League linebacker and a former executive. Millen played for the Oakland Raiders, the San Francisco 49ers and the Washington Redskins. In Millen's 12-year NFL playing career, he played on four Super Bowl-winning teams...
, analyst, and Holly RoweHolly RoweHolly Rowe is a sports telecaster currently working for the sports television network, ESPN. Rowe is best known as a sideline reporter for college football games which are telecast on ESPN.- History with ESPN :...
, sideline reporter.- Twelve games: Georgia-Oklahoma State, Notre Dame-Michigan, Nebraska-Virginia Tech, Miami-Virginia Tech, Florida State-Boston College, Wisconsin-Ohio State, Minnesota-Penn State, Penn State-Michigan, Ohio State-Penn State, Iowa-Ohio State, Ohio State-Michigan, and Cincinnati-Pittsburgh.
- Mike PatrickMike PatrickMike Patrick is an American sportscaster.-Career:Patrick began his broadcasting career in the fall of 1966 at WVSC-Radio in Somerset, Pa. In 1970, he was named Sports Director at WJXT-TV in Jacksonville, Fla., where he provided play-by-play for Jacksonville Sharks' World Football League telecasts...
, play-by-play, Craig JamesCraig JamesJesse Craig James is an American sports commentator for games on the ABC and ESPN television networks. Prior to becoming a sportscaster, James was a professional football player for the New England Patriots of the National Football League and for the Washington Federals of the United States...
, analyst, and Heather CoxHeather CoxHeather Cox is an American Sportscaster who is a sideline reporter for WNBA, NBA, college basketball and college football games on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC Sports. As Heather Schoeny, she played college volleyball at University of the Pacific...
or Quint KessenichQuint KessenichQuint Elroy Kessenich is an American sportscaster for ESPN and ABC television covering lacrosse, basketball, football, wrestling, and horse racing. He is a former All-American lacrosse goalkeeper. He attended the Johns Hopkins University from 1987 to 1990, where he was a two-time winner of the...
, sideline reporter.- Nine games: Western Michigan-Michigan (with Kessenich), Arizona-Iowa, Penn State-Illinois, Connecticut-Pittsburgh, Texas Tech-Nebraska, Michigan-Illinois (without Cox), Penn State-Michigan State, Miami-South Florida, and Arizona-USC.
- Terry GannonTerry GannonTerrance Patrick "Terry" Gannon , is a sportscaster for ABC Sports, ESPN and The Golf Channel. Gannon's work has included an extensive variety of sporting events, including college basketball, as well as figure skating, golf, college football, and the WNBA.-College basketball:Gannon began his...
or Dave LamontDave LamontDave Lamont is an American sports commentator. He formerly hosted South Florida's First News weekday mornings from 5 to 9 on WIOD . He was the ringleader of SFFN and does everything from reporting to getting interactive with listeners. Lamont currently calls college football for ESPN and ABC.Lamont...
, play-by-play, David NorrieDavid NorrieDavid Doherty Norrie is a former American major college and professional football player who currently works as a college football television game analyst for ESPN and ABC....
, analyst, and Quint KessenichQuint KessenichQuint Elroy Kessenich is an American sportscaster for ESPN and ABC television covering lacrosse, basketball, football, wrestling, and horse racing. He is a former All-American lacrosse goalkeeper. He attended the Johns Hopkins University from 1987 to 1990, where he was a two-time winner of the...
, sideline reporter.- Eight games: USC-Washington (with Kessenich), California-Oregon, UCLA-Stanford (with Lamont), Oregon-UCLA, California-UCLA, Oregon-Washington, California-Arizona State, and Arizona-Arizona State.
- Bob WischusenBob WischusenBob Wischusen is an American sports commentator who is currently a college football and basketball voice for ESPN and the radio voice for the New York Jets on WABC and WEPN.-Early life and career:...
, play-by-play, and Brian GrieseBrian GrieseBrian David Griese is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played high school football at Christopher Columbus High School and later college football at Michigan....
, analyst.- Six games: NC State-Boston College, Clemson-Miami, Miami-Wake Forest, Oklahoma State-Iowa State, Miami-North Carolina, and Virginia-Clemson.
- Ron FranklinRon FranklinRon Franklin is an American sportscaster, most notably with ESPN, where he was employed from 1987-2011. He was fired by ESPN on January 4, 2011 after allegedly making sexist comments to and then berating a colleague.He is married with one child...
, play-by-play, and Ed CunninghamEd CunninghamEd Cunningham is a former professional American football player who played center for five seasons for the Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks. Prior to his professional career, Cunningham played center for the University of Washington Huskies, helping them win a National Championship in 1991...
, analyst.- Five games: Illinois-Ohio State, Baylor-Oklahoma, Oklahoma-Kansas, Kansas-Texas Tech, and Nebraska-Kansas.
- Dave LamontDave LamontDave Lamont is an American sports commentator. He formerly hosted South Florida's First News weekday mornings from 5 to 9 on WIOD . He was the ringleader of SFFN and does everything from reporting to getting interactive with listeners. Lamont currently calls college football for ESPN and ABC.Lamont...
, play-by-play, and J.C. Pearson or Shaun KingShaun KingShaun Earl King is a former Tulane University and National Football League quarterback.-High School:King is a 1995 graduate of Gibbs High School .-College:...
, analyst.- Two games: Baylor-Wake Forest (with King), and Missouri vs. Kansas.
- Brent MusburgerBrent MusburgerBrent Woody Musburger is an American sportscaster for the ESPN and ABC television networks. Formerly with CBS Sports and one of the original members of their legendary program The NFL Today, Musburger has covered NASCAR, NBA, MLB, NCAA football and basketball games. Musburger has also served as a...
, play-by-play, Kirk Herbstreet, analyst, and Lisa SaltersLisa SaltersAlisia Salters is a journalist and former collegiate women's basketball player. She has been a reporter for ESPN and ESPN on ABC since 2000. Previously, she covered the O.J. Simpson murder case for ABC and worked at WBAL-TV in Baltimore, Maryland....
, sideline reporter.- Saturday Night Football crew
- Three games: Oklahoma vs. Texas, 2010 Rose Bowl2010 Rose BowlThe 2010 Rose Bowl, the 96th edition of the annual game, was a college football bowl game played on Friday, January 1, 2010 at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. It featured the Ohio State Buckeyes against the Oregon Ducks...
, and 2010 BCS National Championship Game2010 BCS National Championship GameThe 2010 Citi BCS National Championship Game was the finale of the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, and was played between the Texas Longhorns and the Alabama Crimson Tide. It was hosted by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California,...
.
- Brad NesslerBrad NesslerBradley "Brad" Nessler is an American sportscaster, who currently calls college basketball and college football games for ESPN with occasional appearances on ESPN on ABC. He will also call Thursday Night Football on NFL Network beginning in 2011, and appears annually as a commentator in EA Sports'...
, play-by-play, Todd BlackledgeTodd BlackledgeTodd Alan Blackledge was an American football quarterback in both the NCAA and National Football League. In college, he led the Penn State Nittany Lions to a national championship; and, as a pro, he played for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers...
, analyst, and Erin AndrewsErin AndrewsErin Jill Andrews is an American sportscaster, journalist, and television personality. As of 2011 she is a co-host of the ESPN entertainment show College GameDay and a contributor for Good Morning America on the ABC network...
, sideline reporter.- ESPN crew
- One game: 2010 Capital One Bowl2010 Capital One BowlThe 2010 Capital One Bowl was the sixty-fourth edition of the college football bowl game, and was played at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. The game was played on January 1 and matched the LSU Tigers against the Penn State Nittany Lions...
.
- Pam WardPam WardPam Ward is an on-air personality for the cable sports television network ESPN.She is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park with a degree in communications....
, play-by-play, and Ray BentleyRay BentleyRay Russell Bentley is a former professional American football linebacker.-Playing career:...
, analyst.- ESPN crew
- One game: Wake Forest-Georgia Tech.
- Clay MatvickClay MatvickClay Matvick is an American sportscaster, who works primarily as a play-by-play announcer for ABC and the ESPN networks.- Background :Matvick received a degree in mass communications from St...
, play-by-play, and David Diaz-InfanteDavid Diaz-InfanteGustavo David Miguel Diaz-Infante is a former professional American football guard and center and current sports analyst. In the National Football League, he played for the San Diego Chargers, Denver Broncos, and the Philadelphia Eagles...
, analyst.- ESPN u crew
- One game: Virginia Tech-Virginia.
Typical games
Oklahoma–Texas and Ohio State–Michigan are broadcast every year on ABC.Notre Dame-Michigan State is broadcast every other year on ABC.
ABC's bowl coverage consists of the Outback Bowl
Outback Bowl
The Outback Bowl is an annual New Year's Day college football bowl game played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The event was originally called the Hall of Fame Bowl from 1986 to 1994 until being renamed in 1995 for its new title sponsor, Outback Steakhouse...
on New Year's Day. It will also include the Liberty Bowl
Liberty Bowl
The Liberty Bowl is an annual U.S. American college football bowl game played in December of each year from 1959 to 2007 and in January in 2009 and 2010. The Liberty Bowl was sponsored by AXA Financial and was known as the AXA Liberty Bowl from 1997 to 2003...
in 2011.
Features
Since 1981, ABC has aired College Football CountdownCollege Football Countdown
College Football Countdown on ABC presented by Nissan typically airs at 3:00 PM on Saturday afternoons during football season on ABC. The programs precedes game action on the network and has ever since 1981.-Hosts:*Jim Lampley:...
before the slate of games at 3:00 pm ET with the studio crew.
While ABC has exclusive rights to the BCS bowl games from 1998 to 2005, they aired a Bowl Championship Series Selection Show after Championship Weekend ended on the Sunday after the games.
See also
- ESPN on ABCESPN on ABCESPN on ABC is the brand used for sports programming on the ABC television network. Officially the broadcast network retains its own sports division; however, for all practical purposes, ABC's sports division has been merged with ESPN, a sports cable network majority-owned by ABC's parent, The...
- Saturday Night Football
- College football on televisionCollege football on televisionCollege football on television includes the broadcasting of college football games, as well as pre- and post-game reports, analysis, and human-interest stories. Within the United States, the college version of American football annually garners high television ratings.College football games have...
- ESPN College Football PrimetimeESPN College Football PrimetimeESPN College Football Primetime may refer to one of several shows produced by ESPN:*ESPN College Football Saturday Primetime is the Saturday night game on ESPN.*ESPN2 College Football Saturday Primetime is the Saturday night game on ESPN2....
- SEC on CBSSEC on CBSThe SEC on CBS is a presentation of the college football television package owned by CBS Sports...
- College Football Scoreboard
- College Football FinalCollege Football FinalCollege Football Final is a one hour program totally devoted to college football and airs every Saturday night during the college football season. The official name is College Football Final driven by Pontiac. It was previously named College Gameday Final until 2006...
- College Football on VersusCollege Football on VersusThe television channel Versus currently aired college football games from various college football conferences. At the time this program began, the channel was known as OLN but, in 2006, it was renamed Versus...
- CBS College Sports Network
- Big Ten Network
- List of media markets and college football
- MountainWest Sports NetworkMountainWest Sports NetworkMountainWest Sports Network, informally known as the mtn. , is an American regional sports network dedicated to the Mountain West Conference.-History:...