Gus Johnson’s voice has been the excitable soundtrack to dozens of thrilling moments in college football over the course of his decorated broadcasting career.
On Saturday, he narrated a play so exciting he nearly lost that distinctive voice.
Facing a third-and-goal from the Penn State 7-yard line, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza beat a ferocious oncoming pass rush to get off a throw to the back of the end zone.
Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. rose high in the air to haul in the pass and, remarkably, got a foot down in bounds for a go-ahead touchdown with 36 seconds remaining in the game as No. 2 Indiana held off an upset bid to earn a 27-24 victory against a Penn State team playing under an interim coach.
Perhaps the only people inside Beaver Stadium more roused by the touchdown than Indiana’s players and coaches was Johnson.
“Touchdown! Wow!” Johnson exclaimed, with his voice rising about as high in octave as it physically could. “Omar Cooper! Unbelievable!”
Johnson had every reason to be excited, with his partner in the booth, Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt, calling it “the best catch I’ve seen all season long.”
With the win, the Hoosiers improve to 10-0 on the season, with only games against unranked Wisconsin and Purdue teams remaining on their schedule. The victory was Indiana’s first-ever at Penn State.