ABC's lead college football commentator Kirk Herbstreit embarked on an extraordinary journey that saw him travel from Eugene, Oregon, to Dallas, Texas, to fulfill two broadcasting assignments in one day. Despite a last-minute scramble to make it to Texas in time, Herbstreit ultimately succeeded in providing commentary for both games.
Kirk Herbstreit's day began early in Eugene, Oregon, where he co-hosted ABC's "College GameDay" alongside Rece Davis and Desmond Howard. However, a minor wrinkle in the schedule awaited Herbstreit, as the main game of the day, featuring third-ranked Oregon and second-ranked Ohio State, was being broadcast on NBC. Herbstreit's usual assignment, the 7:30 p.m. ET game on ABC, was scheduled for a much earlier time slot.
With his play-by-play partner Chris Fowler already in Dallas for the Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma, Herbstreit found himself in an unusual predicament. For the first time in his career, he left the GameDay set and conducted a segment on the show from an Oregon highway, seemingly on his way to an airport.
Kirk Herbstreit's Wild Ride: A Day of Travel, Two Assignments, and a Close Call
Herbstreit's day had already been extended by the earlier game time, and it would only get longer. He began broadcasting at 6 a.m. Oregon time, and the Texas-Oklahoma game was set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET.
"Everything's good. We're going really fast right now," Herbstreit said from the road. "It was cold as hell on that drive. Who ordered the convertible?!?" he posted on Twitter while flying over Salt Lake City. "Whatever it takes to get to the Red River Rivalry in Dallas with a 3:30pm ET kick. First time I’ve ever left mid show to hope to make it to the game I’m calling."
Kirk Herbstreit's Wild Ride: A Day of Travel, Two Assignments, and a Close Call
Herbstreit cut it awfully close, arriving in Dallas just 45 minutes before kickoff. He posted a video of his police escort outside the stadium at 3:25 p.m. ET, five minutes before the scheduled start time.
Despite the hectic schedule, Herbstreit delivered his usual insightful commentary for both games. He discussed Oregon's upset win over Ohio State and provided expert analysis for the highly anticipated Texas-Oklahoma matchup.
Kirk Herbstreit's Wild Ride: A Day of Travel, Two Assignments, and a Close Call
Herbstreit's dedication and willingness to go the extra mile is a testament to his professionalism and passion for the sport. He has established himself as one of the most respected voices in college football, and his wild day on October 12th is a testament to his ability to handle any situation with grace and humor.
The 55-year-old is no stranger to long days, travel, and multiple assignments. Last week, he appeared on "GameDay" in Berkeley, California, before calling the Arkansas-Tennessee game in Fayetteville.
Next week, Herbstreit will have a much easier day, as he will be on the call in Austin, Texas, for the highly anticipated Texas-Georgia matchup.
