Once again, Deion Sanders and Colorado found themselves playing in FOX’s “Big Noon” slot, in a game that the network has billed the “Biggest Game of the Year”. With that comes the announcer team of Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt.
Their opponent, the USC Trojans, opened the game with an absolutely mechanical drive, nickel-and-diming their way down the field before an electric touchdown run from Marshawn Lloyd.
Johnson, the play-by-play announcer known for his bombastic, enthusiastic touchdown calls, couldn’t have sounded less excited for the Lloyd score.
MARSHAWN LLOYD REVERSES THE FIELD FOR A 27 YARD TOUCHDOWN
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 30, 2023
Caleb Williams was 4/4 that drivepic.twitter.com/jYGpBQyYBi
It wasn’t just us that picked this up. Plenty of fans all over Twitter noticed Johnson’s lack of enthusiasm in calling the touchdown tote.
The bias from FOX is obvious. Gus Johnson acting like this was a 3-yard run up the middle on first down.
— Cody Nagel (@CodyNagel247) September 30, 2023
If that is Shedeur Sanders, Gus is screaming wild. pic.twitter.com/5ZdUFbcSQ0
That was the most uninspiring call I’ve heard from Gus Johnson in a big game I’ve ever heard
— GoBlueHasbi (@GoBlueHasbulla) September 30, 2023
I’m sick of Klatt and him on Colorado games already
I’m normally a massive Gus Johnson fan but this is an embarrassing call https://t.co/Qzdt7mEJeg
— kevin wn, dontayvion wicks truther (@nilkswadler) September 30, 2023
It’s not uncommon for a play-by-play man to take a minimalist approach and let the crowd noise tell the story, but this is Gus Johnson, and this is a touchdown from the visiting team. It’s rare that Johnson takes this approach, and the Buffalo crowd wasn’t exactly pumped about the Trojan touchdown.
The Coach Prime effect
It’s no secret that Colorado has been a massive ratings win for networks this season, and this is the third Buffalo game already that Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt have called for FOX in 2023. This has led fans to the conclusion that Johnson has a strong bias towards Colorado, one he just can’t hide.
USC just had a crazy good run for a TD and Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt sounded as if it was a play for no gain.
— Spartan Dawgs (@SpartanDawgsEL) September 30, 2023
They are not even trying to hide their bias for Colrorado
Gus Johnson is free falling down my play-by-play power rankings with the ABSURD bias he has for Colorado.
— Tyler MacKillop (@TylerMacKillop) September 30, 2023
It’s actually pathetic.
As this game continues to play out, eight and nine-yard gains from Colorado have elicited a bigger reaction from Johnson than that absurd touchdown run from Marshawn Lloyd, so it’s not an unreasonable conclusion to draw.
Gus Johnson is one of the most beloved play-by-play guys in the sport, so this growing sentiment against him is certainly new. It’s tough to fault him for his excitement surrounding Colorado and Coach Prime, but objectivity and neutrality are the expectation for someone in his position.