BYU was one of the biggest stories of the college football weekend — and not just because it won
BYU fans complained that members of the ABC broadcast team saved all their praise for Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders and the rest of the Buffaloes
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Brigham Young Cougars running back LJ Martin (27) scores during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Kelsey is an assistant managing editor for the Deseret News. She covers religion, sports and the Supreme Court.
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BYU dominated Colorado in Saturday’s Alamo Bowl, but you might not have known it if you listened to the ABC broadcast team of Dave Pasch and Dusty Dvoracek without checking the score.
At least that was the narrative that emerged on social media Saturday night as the game unfolded.
BYU fans complained that Pasch and Dvoracek saved all their praise for Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders and the rest of the Buffaloes and barely had anything to say about the Cougars.
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There was so much commentary on social media about Pasch and Dvoracek’s performance that the blog Awful Announcing dedicated a post to the controversy.
While the Awful Announcing crew didn’t entirely side with BYU fans, they agreed that the announcers had a lot to say about Hunter and Sanders.
“Pasch and Dvoracek are two of ESPN’s top announcers, but even the best can find themselves in the crosshairs of fan angst when expectations don’t quite match up with the broadcast reality. And the broadcast reality on Saturday was to talk about Colorado — a lot,” the article said.
The Awful Announcing story was among the most popular posts on the CFB subreddit for much of Sunday, as college football fans — many with no ties to BYU or Colorado — weighed in on the debate.
Fans of other schools generally agreed that the commentators should have had more to say about BYU and been more responsive to what was actually happening on the field.
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Comments
“These guys convinced themselves that Colorado was a national darling and that only a loser would be watching their game for the other team,” a Florida State fan wrote on Reddit.
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Brigham Young Cougars defensive end Tyler Batty (92) douses BYU head coach Kalani Sitake during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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The Brigham Young Cougars celebrate their win over the Colorado Buffaloes during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) hoists the trophy after beating the Colorado Buffaloes during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars defensive end Viliami Po'uha (45), BYU defensive end Sani Tuala (98) and BYU defensive end Ephraim Asiata (44) celebrate their win during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders wipes gatorade off of Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake after the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars running back Sione I Moa (30) celebrates a touchdown with BYU wide receiver Parker Kingston (11) during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) celebrates the win during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake holds the trophy during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars fans cheer during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Isaiah Glasker (16) and BYU wide receiver Keelan Marion (17) hold their defense and offensive trophies during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars sing the fight song during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars defensive end Tyler Batty (92) douses BYU head coach Kalani Sitake during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars cornerback Jakob Robinson (0) tackles a Colorado Buffaloes runner during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake celebrates an interception during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars place kicker Will Ferrin (44) kicks a field goal during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars running back LJ Martin (27) runs during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) throws during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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BYU's defense celebrates sacking Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Parker Kingston (11) runs for a touchdown on a punt return during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Colorado Buffaloes running back Isaiah Augustave (23) is gang tackled during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) throws an interception during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) throws during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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BYU's defense tries to block an unsuccessful field goal attempt during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars defensive tackle John Nelson (94) sacks Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars safety Petey Tuipulotu (42) tackles Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Destin Wade (8) during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars safety Raider Damuni (3) tackles Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Asaad Waseem (28) during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders wipes gatorade off of Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake after the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars defensive tackle John Nelson (94) sacks Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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BYU's defense celebrates an interception during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) throws during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Colorado Buffaloes running back Micah Welch (29) complains after being tackled by Brigham Young Cougars safety Tanner Wall (28) during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars running back LJ Martin (27) runs by the Colorado Buffaloes' defense during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Harrison Taggart (11) sacks the Colorado Buffaloes' QB during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Jack Kelly (17) brings down Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Keelan Marion (17) runs against the Colorado Buffaloes during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) is sacked by Colorado Buffaloes safety Shilo Sanders (21) during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars safety Raider Damuni (3) brings down Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Asaad Waseem (28) during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars running back LJ Martin (27) runs against the Colorado Buffaloes during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars running back Jovesa Damuni (28) gets a hug as the team arrives at the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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The BYU Cougars arrive at the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Tourists walk on the San Antonio River Walk in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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A sign is held for Brigham Young Cougars running back LJ Martin (27) as the team arrives at the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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BYU cheerleaders perform at a fan event prior to the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Tourists ride in boats on the San Antonio River Walk in San Antonio on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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BYU fans attend a fan event prior to the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) runs onto the field during warmups at the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars run around the Colorado buffalo during warmups at the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars coaches ask to get the Colorado buffalo moved out of their end zone for warmups at the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) warms up for the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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The BYU team arrives at the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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BYU cheerleader Elizabeth Dayton throws a football at a fan event prior to the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) runs onto the field during warmups at the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Tourists ride on the San Antonio River Walk in San Antonio on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake and the BYU team arrive at the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
A Wisconsin fan argued, “It was really bad last night, and when BYU was way up they kept showing Deion on the sidelines for what seemed like minutes and just constantly talking about Travis Hunter and Shedeur.”
The college football fans on Reddit said the problem isn’t unique to the BYU-Colorado game and has become a fixture of bowl season.
“This whole bowl season the blatant favoritism and forced narratives by the announcing teams has been absolutely horrible. It’s made watching the games a real pain,” an Ohio State fan wrote on Reddit, noting that one factor involved could be that broadcasters like ESPN are spread thin prepping for so many bowls at once.
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