‘A natural next step’ for FOX as it broadcasts Ohio State football spring game

Ohio State’s spring game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday is just a glorified scrimmage, though in front of a crowd most college football programs would envy for games in the fall.

But to FOX Sports football analyst Joel Klatt, the Buckeyes’ intrasquad scrimmage represents a step in football’s evolution. This will be the first time FOX or any national network has broadcast a spring game.

Nov 26, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Fox Sports announcer Joel Klatt walks across the field prior to the NCAA football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

“Over the years, like the NFL, college football has become more of a year-round sport,” Klatt told The Dispatch on Thursday. “That’s only increased with the modernization of the transfer portal and the new rosters year in and year out. Interest in the sport doesn’t stop like maybe it did 15 or 20 years ago in the offseason.

More: Five offensive players to watch for Saturday’s Ohio State football spring game

“As the sport changes and evolves, I think FOX has to change and evolve in the way we cover the sport. This is a natural next step for us, to be more involved on more of a year-round basis.”

More: 5 defensive players to watch in Ohio State football spring game

Klatt will serve in his normal color analyst role, but his usual play-by-play partner Gus Johnson is on vacation after broadcasting basketball during the winter. Besides, Johnson’s signature enthusiasm might be overkill for a scrimmage.

Jason Benetti will do play-by-play, with Brady Quinn and former Buckeye coach Urban Meyer as analysts along with reporter Jenny Taft.

A spring game can’t have the drama of a real game, so FOX is modifying its coverage.

“If I was to try to define it, this is going to be kind of a…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/natural-next-step-fox-broadcasts-201944952.html

Author : The Columbus Dispatch

Publish date : 2024-04-11 20:19:44

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