ESPN’s MegaCast presentation of the Orange Bowl between Notre Dame and Penn State presented college football fans with several unique ways to tune into the matchup. Depending on which broadcast you tuned into, you likely got a very different opinion on an incredibly controversial pass interference call in the fourth quarter of the game.
On top of the traditional broadcast of the game on ESPN with Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy, ESPN also continued their Field Pass altcast over on ESPN2 starring the cast of The Pat McAfee Show.
Alternate broadcasts are meant to present fans with entirely different experiences, and the Field Pass broadcast certainly did just that in more ways than one.
In the fourth quarter, Notre Dame was called for interference on a pass that Penn State quarterback Drew Allar threw into double coverage and would have been an interception.
On the traditional broadcast, Greg McElroy and rules analyst Matt Austin agreed with that call on the field.
“That’s a good call by the official. The Notre Dame fans hate it, but you cannot make contact with the receiver and not turn around and try to make a play,” said McElroy. “I know (Jack) Kiser is awaiting for the interception. But that’s the correct call against (Adon) Shuler.
“Yeah, that’s a good call,” added Matt Austin. “When you are not playing the ball and the receiver has to reach back over the defender to get to it… That’s definitely pass interference.”
“That’s a good call by the official. The Notre Dame fans hate it, but you cannot make contact with the receiver and not turn around and try to make a play….” – Greg McElroy
“That’s definitely pass interference.” – ESPN rules analyst Matt Austin 🏈🎙️ #CFP pic.twitter.com/kR80z0SQgl
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 10, 2025
Meanwhile on the Field Pass altcast, former NFL cornerback Darius Butler relayed his opinion that the pass interference call was “terrible.”
“Let’s see this replay,” said Butler. “Ah, I don’t like it. I don’t like it. That’s a bad call. That’s terrible.”
“Marcus Freeman is pointing at the ref right now. Still pointing at him,” replied McAfee.
“I don’t blame him,” added Butler.
NOTRE DAME INTERCEPTION
THERE’S A FLAG ON THE PLAY
MARCUS FREEMAN IS PISSED
“THAT’S A TERRIBLE CALL” ~ @DariusJButler #PMSCFPESPN2 pic.twitter.com/cfsGXPozgW
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 10, 2025
In the moment, the call was massive considering it was a tie game with Penn State driving deep into Notre Dame territory. Instead of Notre Dame getting a much-needed interception, Penn State would score on a seven-yard rushing touchdown from Nicolas Singleton to take a 24-17 lead.
Make that THREE touchdowns for Nick Singleton 😳
Penn State takes the lead in the fourth quarter 👀 pic.twitter.com/YjN3tTOn8D
— ESPN (@espn) January 10, 2025
Luckily for Notre Dame fans who would have felt robbed if they had gone on to lose this game, they would quickly erase the seven-point deficit on their next possession and eventually ice the game with a game-winning field goal from Mitch Jeter.
Mitch Jeter nails what would serve as the game-winning kick to send Notre Dame to the CFP National Championship Game.
Sean McDonough with the call for ESPN. 🏈🎙️ pic.twitter.com/OTKkEpH7i8
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 10, 2025
While the pass interference call didn’t loom large in the end result, it shows how differently viewers may take in games depending on which broadcast they choose when altcasts are available.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.