College football fans were irate after ESPN stayed in their commercial break for too long – missing a crucial play toward the end of the first half.
In a game between the University of Colorado and the University of Houston, the Houston Cougars were facing a 3rd and 13 when the game hit the two-minute warning.
As is typical, ESPN cut to a commercial break for the pause and fans were shown a series of advertisements.
But when the final ad stopped airing, the broadcast suddenly showed that a flag had been thrown and players were milling about as if a play had just happened.
Indeed, that’s exactly what occurred. ESPN stayed in their break for too long and fans completely missed that crucial 3rd Down play.
That left play-by-play broadcaster Anish Shroff having to explain to the viewers what had happened while they were gone.
A still from ESPN’s broadcast after missing the first play out of the two minute warning
Houston was able to outlast Deion Sanders’ Colorado – beating the Buffaloes 36-20
On the missed play, Houston quarterback Connor Wiegman was grabbed by his facemask as he threw the ball – leading to flags being thrown.
Colorado’s defense was penalized for the facemask while Wiegman was hit with an intentional grounding call. The two penalties offset each other and they re-played the 3rd and 13 as if nothing had happened before.
Still, fans were up in arms that ‘The Worldwide Leader in Sports’ completely missed the play.
‘Proves that the sole reason the two-minute timeout exists is for additional commercials,’ one fan posted to X.
Another sarcastically remarked, ‘The actual football in the college football broadcast is secondary to commercials.’
Barstool Sports’ Jack Mac was stunned, saying, ‘Did ESPN just straight up miss a play in Colorado-Houston?????’
Houston wasn’t able to convert on the 3rd down, but they did outlast Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes – beating Colorado 36-20.
Colorado, which has been going through a rotation at the quarterback position, falls to 1-2 on the season. They host Wyoming next week.
