ESPN College Football Thursday Primetime
Encyclopedia
ESPN College Football Primetime is a live game presentation of Division 1-A college football
on ESPN
. In the past, the presenting sponsor was Cooper Tires, but since the 2006 season, the current presenting sponsor is Applebee's
. The game telecast airs every Thursday night at 7:45pm ET
during the college football regular season. The game is preceded by a short 5–10 minute segment with TBA , Lou Holtz
and Mark May
, all of whom also appear on the halftime report. This game telecast is also presented in high definition
on ESPNHD.
It has broadcast games from numerous conferences including the SEC
, ACC
and the Big East
. This game is often seen as the ESPN
Game of the Week along with the Saturday night telecast.
The most visible voices of ESPN College Football Primetime over the years have been Mike Tirico
, Kirk Herbstreit
and Lee Corso
, but none remain in the booth, with Tirico and Herbstreit being promoted and Corso cutting back on his schedule. The current commentators are Rece Davis
on play-by-play, Craig James and Jesse Palmer
as analysts and Jenn Brown
as field reporter.
' 44–34 loss to #5 Louisville Cardinals
delivered an average of 4,916,000 households (based on a 5.3 rating), the biggest household audience ever for a Thursday night game on the network and the second-biggest college football audience ever for an ESPN game (any day or time slot). The previous Thursday high was an average of 4,097,000 homes for the Virginia Cavaliers
33-28 win over #2 ranked Florida State Seminoles
, played exactly 11 years earlier November 2, 1995.
The most-watched game in ESPN history also occurred in 2006 as an average of 6,318,000 homes tuned in to the September 4, 2006 game between the Florida State Seminoles
and the Miami Hurricanes
.
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...
on 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....
. In the past, the presenting sponsor was Cooper Tires, but since the 2006 season, the current presenting sponsor is Applebee's
Applebee's
Applebee’s International, Inc., is an American company which develops, franchises, and operates the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurant chain. As of September 2011, there were 2,010 restaurants operating system-wide in the United States, one U.S. territory and 14 other countries...
. The game telecast airs every Thursday night at 7:45pm ET
North American Eastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
during the college football regular season. The game is preceded by a short 5–10 minute segment with TBA , Lou Holtz
Lou Holtz
Louis Leo "Lou" Holtz is a retired American football coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker in the United States...
and Mark May
Mark May
Mark Eric May is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League. He is currently a football analyst for ESPN.-Football career:...
, all of whom also appear on the halftime report. This game telecast is also presented in high definition
High-definition television
High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
on ESPNHD.
It has broadcast games from numerous conferences including the SEC
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...
, ACC
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
and the Big East
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
. This game is often seen as the 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....
Game of the Week along with the Saturday night telecast.
The most visible voices of ESPN College Football Primetime over the years have been Mike Tirico
Mike Tirico
Michael 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...
, Kirk Herbstreit
Kirk Herbstreit
Kirk Herbstreit is an Emmy Award-winning analyst for ESPN's College GameDay, a television program covering college football and a provider of color commentary during college football games on ESPN and ABC. He appears annually as a commentator in EA Sports' NCAA Football. He was a quarterback on...
and Lee Corso
Lee Corso
Leland "Lee" Corso is a sports broadcaster and football analyst for ESPN. He has been featured on ESPN's College GameDay program since its inception and he appeared annually as a commentator in EA Sports' NCAA Football through NCAA Football 11...
, but none remain in the booth, with Tirico and Herbstreit being promoted and Corso cutting back on his schedule. The current commentators are Rece Davis
Rece Davis
Rece Davis is a sports television journalist for ESPN. Davis works as an anchor on SportsCenter, and host of various other programs on the network.-Early life and career:...
on play-by-play, Craig James and Jesse Palmer
Jesse Palmer
Jesse James Palmer is a Canadian-born sports commentator and former college and professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League for four seasons in the early 2000s...
as analysts and Jenn Brown
Jenn Brown
Jennifer "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...
as field reporter.
Ratings
On the November 2, 2006, Thursday night telecast of #3 West Virginia Mountaineers2006 West Virginia Mountaineers football team
The 2006 West Virginia Mountaineers football team completed the season with a 11–2 record. The Mountaineers had a regular season Big East record of 5–2.-2006 Schedule:-Rankings:- References :...
' 44–34 loss to #5 Louisville Cardinals
2006 Louisville Cardinals football team
The 2006 Louisville Cardinals football team represented the University of Louisville in the 2006 college football season. The team, led by Bobby Petrino in his fourth year at the school, played their home games in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium...
delivered an average of 4,916,000 households (based on a 5.3 rating), the biggest household audience ever for a Thursday night game on the network and the second-biggest college football audience ever for an ESPN game (any day or time slot). The previous Thursday high was an average of 4,097,000 homes for the Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia Cavaliers
The Virginia Cavaliers, also known as Wahoos or Hoos, are the athletic teams officially representing the University of Virginia in college sports. The Cavaliers compete in 25 NCAA Division I varsity sports and are members of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
33-28 win over #2 ranked Florida State Seminoles
Florida State Seminoles
The Florida State Seminoles are the men's and women's sports teams of Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State participates in the NCAA's Division I . FSU joined the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1991, and competes in the Atlantic Division in any sports split into a...
, played exactly 11 years earlier November 2, 1995.
The most-watched game in ESPN history also occurred in 2006 as an average of 6,318,000 homes tuned in to the September 4, 2006 game between the Florida State Seminoles
2006 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 2006 Florida State Seminoles football team represented Florida State University during the 2006 college football season. Florida State entered the 2006 season as the defending ACC Champion, coming off an 8-5 record in 2005...
and the Miami Hurricanes
2006 Miami Hurricanes football team
The 2006 Miami Hurricanes football team represented the University of Miami during the 2006 college football season. The team's head coach was Larry Coker.-Preseason:...
.
Current
- 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...
: (field reporter, 2010–present) - Rece DavisRece DavisRece Davis is a sports television journalist for ESPN. Davis works as an anchor on SportsCenter, and host of various other programs on the network.-Early life and career:...
: (play-by-play, 2010–present) - Craig James: (analyst, 2007–present)
- Jesse PalmerJesse PalmerJesse James Palmer is a Canadian-born sports commentator and former college and professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League for four seasons in the early 2000s...
: (analyst, 2008–present)
Former
- 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...
: (field reporter, 2005–2009) - Jill ArringtonJill ArringtonTiffany "Jill" Arrington is an American sportscaster with Fox Sports. She was previously a sideline reporter on college football for ESPN during the 2004 season.-Personal life:...
: (field reporter, 2004) - 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, &1998) - Lee CorsoLee CorsoLeland "Lee" Corso is a sports broadcaster and football analyst for ESPN. He has been featured on ESPN's College GameDay program since its inception and he appeared annually as a commentator in EA Sports' NCAA Football through NCAA Football 11...
: (analyst, 1999–2004) - Gary DanielsonGary DanielsonGary 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...
: (analyst 1994) - Doug FlutieDoug FlutieDouglas Richard "Doug" Flutie is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. Flutie played college football at Boston College, and played professionally in the National Football League, Canadian Football League, and United States Football League...
: (analyst, 2007) - Chris FowlerChris FowlerChris Fowler is a sports broadcaster for ESPN known best for his work on College GameDay for college football. Since 1989, Fowler has been the primary studio host for college football. Until 2006, he was also the lead studio host for men's college basketball on ESPN...
: (play-by-play, 2006–2009) - Kirk HerbstreitKirk HerbstreitKirk Herbstreit is an Emmy Award-winning analyst for ESPN's College GameDay, a television program covering college football and a provider of color commentary during college football games on ESPN and ABC. He appears annually as a commentator in EA Sports' NCAA Football. He was a quarterback on...
: (analyst, 1999–2006) - 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, 1994) - Jerry PunchJerry PunchDr. Jerry Punch is an American auto racing and college football commentator on ESPN. Punch also does local radio spots in Knoxville.-Early life and career:...
: (field reporter, 1992–2003) - Mike GottfriedMike Gottfried-External links:*...
: 1992–1998 - 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...
: ?–? - 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, 1997–2005)
By year
| Game | Play- by- Play | Analyst(s) | Field Reporter(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Mike Tirico Mike Tirico Michael 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... |
Mike Gottfried Mike Gottfried -External links:*... or Todd Blackledge Todd Blackledge Todd 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... |
Jerry Punch Jerry Punch Dr. Jerry Punch is an American auto racing and college football commentator on ESPN. Punch also does local radio spots in Knoxville.-Early life and career:... |
| 1998 | |||
| 1999 | Lee Corso Lee Corso Leland "Lee" Corso is a sports broadcaster and football analyst for ESPN. He has been featured on ESPN's College GameDay program since its inception and he appeared annually as a commentator in EA Sports' NCAA Football through NCAA Football 11... and Kirk Herbstreit Kirk Herbstreit Kirk Herbstreit is an Emmy Award-winning analyst for ESPN's College GameDay, a television program covering college football and a provider of color commentary during college football games on ESPN and ABC. He appears annually as a commentator in EA Sports' NCAA Football. He was a quarterback on... |
||
| 2000 | |||
| 2001 | |||
| 2002 | |||
| 2003 | |||
| 2004 | Jill Arrington Jill Arrington Tiffany "Jill" Arrington is an American sportscaster with Fox Sports. She was previously a sideline reporter on college football for ESPN during the 2004 season.-Personal life:... |
||
| 2005 | Kirk Herbstreit Kirk Herbstreit Kirk Herbstreit is an Emmy Award-winning analyst for ESPN's College GameDay, a television program covering college football and a provider of color commentary during college football games on ESPN and ABC. He appears annually as a commentator in EA Sports' NCAA Football. He was a quarterback on... |
Erin Andrews Erin Andrews Erin 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... |
|
| 2006 | Chris Fowler Chris Fowler Chris Fowler is a sports broadcaster for ESPN known best for his work on College GameDay for college football. Since 1989, Fowler has been the primary studio host for college football. Until 2006, he was also the lead studio host for men's college basketball on ESPN... |
||
| 2007 | Doug Flutie Doug Flutie Douglas Richard "Doug" Flutie is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. Flutie played college football at Boston College, and played professionally in the National Football League, Canadian Football League, and United States Football League... and Craig James |
||
| 2008 | Craig James and Jesse Palmer Jesse Palmer Jesse James Palmer is a Canadian-born sports commentator and former college and professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League for four seasons in the early 2000s... |
||
| 2009 | |||
| 2010 | Rece Davis Rece Davis Rece Davis is a sports television journalist for ESPN. Davis works as an anchor on SportsCenter, and host of various other programs on the network.-Early life and career:... |
Jenn Brown Jenn Brown Jennifer "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... |
|
| 2011 |
Game features
- Starting Lineups: The starting lineups are presented during the first possession of each team's offense and defence.
- Impact Players: Following the starting lineups, Fowler, James and Flutie run down the top two or three impact players on each team's side of the ball.
- Halftime Report: John SaundersJohn SaundersJohn Saunders is a Canadian–American sports journalist from Toronto, Ontario. He is currently working for ESPN and ABC.-Early life and career:...
, Lou HoltzLou HoltzLouis Leo "Lou" Holtz is a retired American football coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker in the United States...
and Mark MayMark MayMark Eric May is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League. He is currently a football analyst for ESPN.-Football career:...
present the halftime report, which features analysis of the first half, highlights of earlier games and a look at other happenings in the sports world. - SportsCenter In-game: This segment appears during various time in the game, when John SaundersJohn SaundersJohn Saunders is a Canadian–American sports journalist from Toronto, Ontario. He is currently working for ESPN and ABC.-Early life and career:...
gives up to the minute highlights when something big happens in another game.
See also
- College GameDay
- 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...
- ESPN College Football Saturday PrimetimeESPN College Football Saturday PrimetimeESPN College Football Primetime is a live game presentation of Division 1-A college football on ESPN. In the past, the presenting sponsors have been Polaroid and AT&T. The current presenting sponsor is Hampton Hotels. The game telecast airs every Saturday night at 7:45pm ET during the college...
- ESPN2 College Football Saturday PrimetimeESPN2 College Football Saturday PrimetimeESPN2 College Football Primetime is a live game presentation of Division 1-A college football on ESPN2. In the past, the primary sponsors have been Polaroid, AT&T and GoDaddy.com. Like its ESPN counterpart, the current presenting sponsor of this version is Hampton Hotels. The game telecast airs...
- Saturday Night Football