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OHIO STATE-NOTRE DAME THRILLER IS NBC’s MOST WATCHED REGULAR-SEASON COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME SINCE 1993 “GAME OF THE CENTURY”

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Led by Peacock, Saturday Night’s Game is NBC Sports’ Most-Streamed College Football Simulcast

Buckeyes’ Last-Second, Three-Point Win Over Fighting Irish Averaged 10.5 Million Viewers, Peaking at 14.2 Million Viewers on Game-Winning Touchdown Drive (10:30-10:45 p.m. ET)

Ohio State-Notre Dame is Most Watched Primetime Regular Season College Football Game on Any Network Since 2018, Excluding Labor Day Holiday Weekend

STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 25, 2023 – NBC Sports drew its largest regular-season college football audience in 30 years for No. 6 Ohio State’s down-to-the-wire 17-14 win over No. 9 Notre Dame, with a touchdown in the closing seconds on Saturday night.

The Buckeyes’ three-point victory over the Fighting Irish averaged 10.5 million viewers across NBC, Peacock and NBC Sports Digital, ranking as NBC Sports’ second-most watched regular season college football game of all-time, behind only then-No. 2 Notre Dame’s “Game of the Century” 31-24 defeat of No. 1 Florida State on Nov. 13, 1993 (22 million viewers).

Additional viewership highlights from Ohio State-Notre Dame:

    • The Average Minute Audience (AMA) of 605,000 viewers for Saturday night’s live stream via Peacock and NBC Sports Digital platforms marks NBC Sports’ most-streamed college football simulcast.
    • Viewership for Ohio State-Notre Dame peaked at 14 million from 10:30-10:45 p.m. ET, as the Buckeyes drove for the game-winning score (a one-yard run with one second remaining).
    • Excluding the Labor Day holiday weekend, Saturday night’s matchup is the most-watched primetime regular-season college football game on any network since 2018.
    • Ohio State-Notre Dame (7:37 p.m.-11 p.m. ET) registered a national NBC-TV household rating of 5.1/16.

 

Viewership figures are based upon live + same day data from Nielsen and Adobe Analytics.

TOP METERED MARKETS FOR OHIO STATE-NOTRE DAME (based on 44 markets available):

1. Columbus, OH 29.9/65
2. Cleveland 21.1/54
3. Cincinnati 12.8/33
4. Indianapolis 11.6/33
5. Detroit 11.0/32
6. Chicago 7.0/24
7. West Palm Beach 6.6/19
8. Tampa 6.2/19
T9. Nashville 6.1/18
T9. Norfolk 6.1/17

 

–NBC SPORTS–

NO. 9 NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH HOST NO. 6 OHIO STATE BUCKEYES IN TOP TEN SHOWDOWN THIS SATURDAY AT 7:30 P.M. ET ON NBC AND PEACOCK

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QB Taulia Tagovailoa and Maryland Visit Michigan State Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock

College Countdown Pregame Show from South Bend, Ind., Begins at 3 p.m. ET, Continues at 7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock

Maria Taylor Interviews Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Joshua Perry Speaks with Notre Dame Head Coach Marcus Freeman, and Notre Dame Heisman Trophy Winner Tim Brown Joins Show Live from South Bend on Saturday’s College Countdown

STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 20, 2023 – The No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-0) host the No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0) in a primetime matchup of undefeated Top 10 teams this Saturday, Sept. 23, from Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind., at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, headlining NBC Sports’ college football action this weekend.  College Countdown pregame coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

NBC Sports’ college football coverage this Saturday includes:

7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock: No. 6 Ohio State at No. 9 Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish defeated Central Michigan, 41-17, last weekend to remain unbeaten this season. Quarterback Sam Hartman threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns and currently leads the country in touchdown passes (13) and ranks in the top five in passing yards (1,061) and passer rating (217.8). Running back Audric Estime ran for 176 yards and a touchdown against Central Michigan, moving into first place in the nation in rushing yards (521), while wide receivers Chris Tyree and Tobias Meriweather combined for 169 receiving yards and two scores last weekend.

The Buckeyes defeated Western Kentucky, 63-10, last week to move to 3-0 and stay atop the Big Ten East division. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl XLI champion Marvin Harrison, hauled in five receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown. QB Kyle McCord passed for 318 yards and three touchdowns while RB TreVeyon Henderson rushed for 88 yards and a pair of scores in the win.

Notre Dame and Ohio State have met a total of seven times, with the Buckeyes leading the all-time series, 5-2. The most recent matchup saw the Buckeyes win, 21-10, in last year’s season-opener on Sept. 3, 2022. This will be the first matchup between the two programs to be held at Notre Dame Stadium since 1996. Ohio State is second all-time in wins with 956 while Notre Dame ranks fourth with 942.

Noah Eagle (play-by-play) and Todd Blackledge (analyst) will call Ohio State-Notre Dame, along with Kathryn Tappen (sideline reporter) and Terry McAulay (rules analyst).

NBC Sports’ College Countdown studio team of Maria Taylor, Michael Robinson, Joshua Perry, Matt Cassel, Ahmed Fareed, and Nicole Auerbach will host pregame (7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock) and halftime coverage on-site from Notre Dame Stadium. They will also host pregame coverage of Maryland-Michigan State from South Bend at 3 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

Headlining College Countdown on Saturday, Notre Dame Heisman Trophy winner and Pro Football Hall of Famer Tim Brown joins live from South Bend, Maria Taylor interviews Marvin Harrison, Jr., and Joshua Perry speaks with Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. Additionally, a Pro Football Hall of Famer will continue NBC Sports’ new tradition and bang the Saturday Night drum pregame. Prior “drummers” include Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, former NFL running back LaMont Jordan, and Purdue basketball player and consensus National Player of the Year Zach Edey.

Each week, College Countdown will capture college football’s unique gameday atmosphere by providing pre-game and halftime commentary from the site of that week’s primetime game – 11 Big Ten and two Notre Dame games. The show will also provide pre-game and halftime content for NBC Sports’ college football afternoon games throughout the season on NBC and Peacock.

3:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock: Maryland at Michigan State

The Maryland Terrapins (3-0) visit the Michigan State Spartans (2-1) at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich., this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

Maryland defeated Virginia, 42-14, at home last weekend, scoring 42 unanswered points after falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter. QB Taulia Tagovailoa – the brother of Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa – passed for 342 yards and a touchdown and leads the Big Ten in passing yards (889) this season.

Michigan State looks to rebound after falling to No. 8 Washington, 41-7, last weekend.

Maryland at Michigan State will be called by Jac Collinsworth (play-by-play), Jason Garrett (analyst) and Zora Stephenson (sidelines). Former Big Ten referee Reggie Smith serves as the rules analyst.

NBC Sports’ FBS college football games announced to date:

Date Time (ET) Matchup Platform
Sat., Sept. 23 3:30 p.m. Maryland at Michigan State NBC, Peacock
Sat., Sept. 23 7:30 p.m. No. 6 Ohio State at No. 9 Notre Dame NBC, Peacock
Sat., Sept. 30 3:30 p.m. Illinois at Purdue Peacock
Sat., Sept. 30 7:30 p.m. Michigan State at No. 24 Iowa NBC, Peacock
Sat., Oct. 14 7:30 p.m. No. 5 USC at No. 9 Notre Dame NBC, Peacock
Sat., Oct. 28 3:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at No. 9 Notre Dame NBC, Peacock
Sat., Nov. 11 7:30 p.m. Michigan State at No. 6 Ohio State NBC, Peacock
Sat., Nov. 18 3:30 p.m. Wake Forest at No. 9 Notre Dame NBC, Peacock
Fri., Nov. 24 7:30 p.m. No. 7 Penn State at Michigan State (Ford Field) NBC, Peacock

 

The remaining NBC Sports’ Big Ten Football games will be announced during the season, with each matchup typically announced 12 days prior to the scheduled game date.

NBC Sports’ Big Ten Football package features Big Ten Saturday Night on NBC and Peacock – marking the first time ever that Big Ten Football will have a dedicated weekly primetime game on a national broadcast network – and nine exclusive games on Peacock. Throughout the 2023 season, Peacock simulstreams all Notre Dame games aired live on NBC, including pre- and postgame coverage and the platform exclusively presented a matchup for the third consecutive season when the Fighting Irish defeated Central Michigan on Sat., Sept. 16.

Peacock’s expansive programming offers the most live sports of any streamer in the United States, featuring live coverage including Big Ten Football, Sunday Night Football, Notre Dame Football, Olympic Games, Premier League, NASCAR, NTT IndyCar Series, and much more.  Peacock also offers daily sports programming on the NBC Sports channel.

–NBC SPORTS–

PEACOCK EXCLUSIVELY PRESENTS NO. 9 NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH AGAINST CENTRAL MICHIGAN THIS SATURDAY AT 2:30 P.M. ET

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Notre Dame (3-0) is Currently Ranked No. 9 in the Associated Press Top 25 National Poll

QB Sam Hartman Ranks Top 10 in the Country in Touchdown Passes, Passing Yards, and Passer Rating

Jac Collinsworth, Jason Garrett, Zora Stephenson and Terry McAulay to Call Matchup

STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 12, 2023 – The No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-0) host the Central Michigan Chippewas (1-1) this Saturday, Sept. 16, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind., at 2:30 p.m. ET exclusively on Peacock. It is the third consecutive year in which Peacock is the exclusive platform to watch a Notre Dame Football game.

The Fighting Irish (3-0) defeated North Carolina State, 45-24, last weekend. Fighting Irish quarterback Sam Hartman passed for 286 yards and four touchdowns; he currently ranks in the top 10 in the country in touchdown passes (10), passing yards (731), and passer rating (222.5). Running back Audric Estime ran for 134 yards and two touchdowns while wide receiver Holden Staes had four receptions for 115 yards and two scores in the victory as well.

Central Michigan topped New Hampshire, 45-42, in their home season opener last week as QB Bert Emanuel Jr. threw for 193 yards and two touchdowns while adding 101 yards and two more scores on the ground. Running back Myles Bailey rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown.

NBC Sports’ Jac Collinsworth (play-by-play) and Jason Garrett (game analyst) will call the matchup with Zora Stephenson (sideline reporter) and Terry McAulay (rules analyst).

The ND on NBC Podcast, hosted by former Notre Dame wide receiver Corey Robinson, releases weekly episodes/additional content throughout the season. Episodes can be listened to here and wherever you listen to podcasts.

Peacock is home to significant Fighting Irish content. In addition to its exclusive presentation of Notre Dame-Central Michigan, Peacock simulstreams all Notre Dame Football games that air on NBC. The streaming service has also provided exclusive live coverage of the Notre Dame Football Blue-Gold game, Notre Dame Pro Day and Notre Dame hockey.

Peacock’s expansive programming offers the most live sports of any SVOD service in the United States, featuring live coverage including Sunday Night Football, Olympic Games, Premier League, Notre Dame Football, NASCAR, NTT IndyCar Series, Big Ten football (beginning in September), and much more.  Peacock also offers daily sports programming on the NBC Sports channel.

As part of a four-game college football slate across NBC Sports this Saturday, Peacock will also exclusively present No. 8 Washington at Michigan State at 5 p.m. ET as well as simulstream presentations of B1G Saturday Night featuring Syracuse at Purdue (7:30 p.m. ET on NBC) and the HBCU New York Classic (3 p.m. ET on CNBC).

NBC SPORTS’ REMAINING 2023 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Date Time (ET) Opponent Platform
Sat., Sept. 16 2:30 p.m. Central Michigan Peacock
Sat., Sept. 23 7:30 p.m. Ohio State NBC, Peacock
Sat., Oct. 14 7:30 p.m. USC NBC, Peacock
Sat., Oct. 28 3:30 p.m. Pittsburgh NBC, Peacock
Sat., Nov. 18 3:30 p.m. Wake Forest NBC, Peacock

This year, NBC Sports and Notre Dame kick off their 33rd season. NBC Sports and the University of Notre Dame began their landmark Notre Dame Football relationship in 1991 and have renewed the partnership numerous times. The current agreement runs through the 2025 season.

–NBC SPORTS–

PEACOCK EXCLUSIVE COLLEGE FOOTBALL DOUBLEHEADER FEATURES NO. 8 WASHINGTON & NO. 9 NOTRE DAME, PLUS SYRACUSE AT PURDUE ON B1G SATURDAY NIGHT ON NBC AND PEACOCK THIS SAT., SEPT. 16

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Heisman Hopeful QBs Headline Peacock Exclusive Games: Sam Hartman and No. 9 Notre Dame (3-0) Host Central Michigan (1-1) at 2:30 P.M. ET Followed by QB Michael Penix Jr. and No. 8 Washington (2-0) Visiting Michigan State (2-0) at 5 p.m. ET

Purdue (1-1) Hosts Syracuse (2-0) in Primetime at 7:30 p.m. ET on B1G Saturday Night on NBC and Peacock

Morehouse College Faces Albany State in the HBCU New York Classic at 3 p.m. ET on Peacock and CNBC

STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 12, 2023 – Peacock’s exclusive doubleheader, featuring Associated Press No. 8 Washington visiting unbeaten Michigan State and No. 9 Notre Dame hosting Central Michigan, as well as Syracuse-Purdue in primetime on B1G Saturday Night on NBC and Peacock and the HBCU New York Classic on Peacock and CNBC, headline NBC Sports’ college football slate this Saturday, Sept. 16.

NBC Sports’ college football coverage this Saturday includes:

2:30 p.m. ET Exclusively on Peacock: Central Michigan at No. 9 Notre Dame

Following their 45-24 win over North Carolina State last weekend, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-0) host the Central Michigan Chippewas (1-1) at Notre Dame Stadium this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET exclusively on Peacock.

Fighting Irish quarterback Sam Hartman passed for 286 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s victory. Hartman is among Heisman Trophy contenders this season as he currently ranks in the top 10 in the country in touchdown passes (10), passing yards (731), and passer rating (222.5). Running back Audric Estime ran for 134 yards and two touchdowns while wide receiver Holden Staes had four receptions for 115 yards and two scores.

Central Michigan topped New Hampshire, 45-42, in their home opener last week as QB Bert Emanuel Jr. threw for 193 yards and two touchdowns while adding 101 yards and two more scores on the ground. Running back Myles Bailey rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown.

Central Michigan at Notre Dame will be called by Jac Collinsworth (play-by-play), Jason Garrett (analyst) and Zora Stephenson (sidelines). Former Big Ten referee Terry McAulay serves as the rules analyst.

3 p.m. ET on Peacock and CNBC: Toyota HBCU New York Classic: Morehouse College vs. Albany State

Morehouse College and Albany State University face off in the second annual Toyota HBCU New York Classic presented by Walmart this Saturday, Sept. 16 at 3 p.m. ET on Peacock and CNBC.

Celebrating all the tradition and pageantry of the HBCU game day experience, Morehouse will face Albany State at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey this Saturday. Last year’s game featured an attendance of more than 35,000 fans at MetLife.

Kyle Draper will call Saturday’s game alongside analyst and former NFL tight end Charles Arbuckle (analyst). NBC Sports’ Corey Robinson, a former Notre Dame wide receiver, will serve as the in-game reporter.

5 p.m. ET Exclusively on Peacock: No. 8 Washington at Michigan State

The Michigan State Spartans (2-0) host the No. 8 Washington Huskies (2-0) at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich., Saturday at 5 p.m. ET exclusively on Peacock.

Michigan State defeated Richmond, 45-14, at home last weekend as QB Noah Kim passed for 292 yards and three touchdowns while running back Nathan Carter totaled 125 yards (111 rushing, 14 receiving) and three touchdowns. Michigan State’s defense held Richmond to 193 total yards.

Washington topped Tulsa last week, 43-10, led by QB Michael Penix Jr.’s 409 passing yards and three touchdowns. Penix Jr., a Heisman Trophy hopeful through his first two weeks of the season, ranks fourth in the country in passing yards (859). Wide receivers Jalen McMillan and Rome Odunze combined for 227 receiving yards and two touchdowns last week.

Washington at Michigan State will be called by Brendan Burke (play-by-play), Chris Simms (analyst) and Caroline Pineda (sidelines). Former Big Ten referee Reggie Smith serves as the rules analyst.

B1G Saturday Night, 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock: Syracuse at Purdue

This week’s B1G Saturday Night matchup features the Syracuse Orange (2-0) visiting the Purdue Boilermakers (1-1), winners of the Big Ten West division last season, at 7:30 p.m. ET from Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. The teams played a thriller last September at Syracuse, combining for four lead changes and 42 points in the fourth quarter of a three-point Orange victory.

The Boilermakers defeated Virginia Tech, 24-17, last week behind QB Hudson Card’s 248 passing yards and the combined 146 rushing yards and two touchdowns by running backs Devin Mockobee and Tyrone Tracy Jr.

The Orange topped Western Michigan, 48-7, last week led by the wide receiver trio of Donovan Brown, Isaiah Jones, and Umari Hatcher, who each recorded 80+ receiving yards. The offense also features tight end Oronde Gadsden, an AP Preseason second-team All-American.

Syracuse at Purdue will be called by NBC Sports’ B1G Saturday Night team of Noah Eagle (play-by-play), former Penn State quarterback Todd Blackledge (analyst), and Kathryn Tappen (sidelines). Terry McAulay serves as the rules analyst.

B1G College Countdown on NBC and Peacock

NBC Sports’ B1G College Countdown studio show, featuring host Maria Taylor and analysts Matt Cassel, Joshua Perry, Michael Robinson, and co-host Ahmeed Fareed, will be live from Purdue’s Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday. Nicole Auerbach serves as the college football insider.

Each week, College Countdown will capture college football’s unique gameday atmosphere by providing pre-game and halftime commentary from the site of that week’s primetime game – 11 Big Ten and two Notre Dame games. The show will also provide pre-game and halftime content for NBC Sports’ college football afternoon games throughout the season on NBC and Peacock.

NBC Sports’ FBS college football games announced to date:

Date Time (ET) Matchup Platform
Sat., Sept. 16 2:30 p.m. Central Michigan at No. 9 Notre Dame Peacock
Sat., Sept. 16 5 p.m. No. 8 Washington at Michigan State Peacock
Sat., Sept. 16 7:30 p.m. Syracuse at Purdue NBC, Peacock
Sat., Sept. 23 3:30 p.m. Maryland at Michigan State NBC, Peacock
Sat., Sept. 23 7:30 p.m. No. 6 Ohio State at No. 9 Notre Dame NBC, Peacock
Sat., Oct. 14 7:30 p.m. No. 5 USC at No. 9 Notre Dame NBC, Peacock
Sat., Oct. 28 3:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at No. 10 Notre Dame NBC, Peacock
Sat., Nov. 11 7:30 p.m. Michigan State at No. 5 Ohio State NBC, Peacock
Sat., Nov. 18 3:30 p.m. Wake Forest at No. 10 Notre Dame NBC, Peacock
Fri., Nov. 24 7:30 p.m. No. 7 Penn State at Michigan State (Ford Field) NBC, Peacock

 

The remaining NBC Sports’ Big Ten Football games will be announced during the season, with each matchup typically announced 12 days prior to the scheduled game date.

NBC Sports’ Big Ten Football package features Big Ten Saturday Night on NBC and Peacock – marking the first time ever that Big Ten Football will have a dedicated weekly primetime game on a national broadcast network – and nine exclusive games on Peacock.

Peacock’s expansive programming offers the most live sports of any streamer in the United States, featuring live coverage including Big Ten Football, Sunday Night Football, Notre Dame Football, Olympic Games, Premier League, NASCAR, NTT IndyCar Series, and much more.  Peacock also offers daily sports programming on the NBC Sports channel.

–NBC SPORTS–

NBC SPORTS’ NAVY-NOTRE DAME GAME IS MOST-WATCHED OF RIVALRY IN NINE YEARS

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Midshipmen-Fighting Irish Average 3.81 Million Viewers on NBC and Peacock; Up 48% Compared to Notre Dame’s 2022 Season Opener vs. Marshall

Peacock and NBC Sports Digital Platforms Averaged 251,000 Viewers, Most-Streamed Notre Dame Game Ever, Excluding Peacock Exclusive Games

STAMFORD, Conn. – August 29, 2023 – Notre Dame’s dominant 42-3 win over Navy played in Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 3.81 million viewers on NBC, Peacock, and NBC Sports digital platforms, making it the series’ most-watched game in nine years.

Navy-Notre Dame viewership also achieved the following milestones:

    • Most-watched Notre Dame season opener on NBC in three years (2020, Duke, 4.42 million TAD)
    • Most-watched Notre Dame game on NBC in two years (2021, Cincinnati, 3.97 million TAD)
    • Viewership up 48% vs. 2022 season opener against Marshall on NBC (2.57 million TAD) and up 66% vs. 2022 season average on NBC (2.30 million TAD)
    • Viewership peaked at nearly 3.97 million TV-only viewers from 3:30-3:45 p.m.
    • With an Average Minute Audience (AMA) of 251,000 viewers on Peacock and NBC Sports digital platforms, the Navy game ranks as Notre Dame’s most streamed game ever, excluding Peacock exclusive games.
    • The AMA for Navy-Notre Dame was up 171% vs. last year’s season opener (Marshall).

 

NBC Sports’ college football coverage this Saturday includes its first-ever tripleheader:

    • At Noon ET, exclusively on Peacock, the Big Ten champion Michigan Wolverines open at “The Big House” against the East Carolina Pirates;
    • At 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, Notre Dame hosts the Tennessee State Tigers in the Fighting Irish’s first game of the season at Notre Dame Stadium;
    • At 7:30 p.m. ET, on NBC and Peacock, the Penn State Nittany Lions, Rose Bowl winners this past winter, host the West Virginia Mountaineers at Beaver Stadium in the primetime debut of B1G Saturday Night.

–NBC SPORTS–

NO. 2 MICHIGAN, NO. 7 PENN STATE AND NO. 13 NOTRE DAME HEADLINE NBC SPORTS’ FIRST-EVER COLLEGE FOOTBALL TRIPLEHEADER THIS SAT., SEPT. 2, AS BIG TEN FOOTBALL KICKS OFF ON NBC AND PEACOCK

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Big Ten Champion Michigan Hosts East Carolina Exclusively on Peacock This Saturday at Noon ET

Penn State Hosts West Virginia in Primetime at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock in B1G Saturday Night Opener

Notre Dame (1-0) Hosts Tennessee State in Home Opener Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock

B1G College Countdown Studio Show Makes On-Campus Debut at Penn State

NBC Sports’ 2023 College Football Schedule Features 31 FBS Games, Big Ten’s First Dedicated Weekly Broadcast Primetime Game & 10 Peacock-Exclusive Games

STAMFORD, Conn. – Aug. 28, 2023 – Three of college football’s Top 13 teams – Associated Press No. 2 Michigan, No. 7 Penn State, and No. 13 Notre Dame – headline NBC Sports’ first-ever college football tripleheader this Saturday, Sept. 2 on NBC and Peacock.

NBC Sports kicks off its new Big Ten Football partnership this Saturday with games at Penn State and Michigan, bookending 1-0 Notre Dame’s second game of the season. In addition, NBC Sports’ B1G College Countdown makes its on-campus debut at Penn State.

NBC Sports’ college football coverage this Saturday includes:

    • At Noon ET, exclusively on Peacock, the Big Ten champion Michigan Wolverines open at “The Big House” against the East Carolina Pirates;
    • At 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, Notre Dame hosts the Tennessee State Tigers in the Fighting Irish’s first game of the season at Notre Dame Stadium;
    • At 7:30 p.m. ET, on NBC and Peacock, the Penn State Nittany Lions, Rose Bowl winners this past winter, host the West Virginia Mountaineers at Beaver Stadium in the primetime debut of B1G Saturday Night.

 

Noon ET Exclusively on Peacock: East Carolina at Michigan

NBC Sports’ Big Ten package kicks off this Saturday at Noon ET exclusively on Peacock as Michigan hosts East Carolina from Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The Wolverines won the Big Ten in 2022, their second consecutive conference title, following a 13-1 season which culminated with a 51-45 loss to the No. 2 TCU Horned Frogs in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

The Wolverines, ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll, return quarterback J.J. McCarthy, and the running back duo of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards to a team that finished fifth in rushing and 24th in total offense last season. Michigan’s defense ranked sixth in the FBS in 2022, allowing 292.1 yards per game.

East Carolina enters 2023 following an 8-5 season which concluded with a win over the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the Birmingham Bowl.

East Carolina at Michigan will be called by Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Chris Simms (analyst) and Lewis Johnson (sidelines). Terry McAulay serves as the rules analyst.

 

Tennessee State at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock

Following their season-opening 42-3 win over Navy in Dublin last weekend, Notre Dame (1-0) hosts Tennessee State in their 2023 home opener on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

The Fighting Irish topped Navy last Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. In his first start under center for Notre Dame, QB Sam Hartman threw for 251 yards and four touchdowns, while running back Audric Estime had 121 total yards (95 rushing, 26 receiving) and a touchdown.

Tennessee State finished third in the Ohio Valley Conference last season, and begins its third season under head coach, College Football Hall of Famer and Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George (Ohio State).

Tennessee State at Notre Dame will be called by Paul Burmeister (play-by-play), Jason Garrett (analyst), and Zora Stephenson (sidelines). Former Big Ten referee Reggie Smith serves as rules analyst. Burmeister is filling in for Jac Collinsworth, who is under the weather.

 

B1G Saturday Night, 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock: West Virginia at Penn State

No. 7 Penn State hosts West Virginia in the debut of NBC Sports’ B1G Saturday Night at 7:30 p.m. ET from Beaver Stadium in State College, Penn. Saturday’s game marks the schools’ 50th meeting, but first since 1992. The Nittany Lions and Mountaineers played this heated rivalry 31 times between 1960-92.

Last season, Penn State finished third in the Big Ten with an 11-2 record, and topped the Utah Utes, 35-21, in the Rose Bowl.

The Nittany Lions’ offense is expected to be led by sophomore quarterback Drew Allar, a five-star recruit coming out of high school who was ranked as the top quarterback prospect (and No. 3 overall) in the country by 247Sports.com in 2022. Running back Nicholas Singleton posted a Penn State freshman record with 12 rushing touchdowns last season as Singleton (1,061 yards) and Kaytron Allen (867) became the first true freshman teammates in Big Ten history with 700 or more rushing yards each in a single season.

Last season, West Virginia finished ninth in the Big 12.

West Virginia at Penn State will be called by NBC Sports’ B1G Saturday Night team of Noah Eagle (play-by-play), former Penn State quarterback Todd Blackledge (analyst) in his NBC Sports debut, and Kathryn Tappen (sidelines). Terry McAulay serves as the rules analyst.

 

B1G College Countdown on NBC and Peacock

Saturday marks the on-campus debut of NBC Sports’ B1G College Countdown studio show, featuring host Maria Taylor, analysts Matt Cassel, Joshua Perry, and Michael Robinson, co-host Ahmed Fareed, and the NBC Sports debut of college football insider Nicole Auerbach live from Penn State’s Beaver Stadium.

Each week, College Countdown will capture college football’s unique gameday atmosphere by providing pre-game and halftime commentary from the site of that week’s primetime game – 11 Big Ten and two Notre Dame games. The show will also provide pre-game and halftime content for NBC Sports’ college football afternoon games throughout the season on NBC and Peacock.

NBC Sports’ FBS college football games announced to date:

Date Time (ET) Matchup Platform
Sat., Sept. 2 Noon East Carolina at No. 2 Michigan Peacock
Sat., Sept. 2 3:30 p.m. Tennessee State at No. 13 Notre Dame NBC, Peacock
Sat., Sept. 2 7:30 p.m. West Virginia at No. 7 Penn State NBC, Peacock
Sat., Sept. 9 Noon Delaware at No. 7 Penn State Peacock
Sat., Sept. 9 7:30 p.m. Charlotte at Maryland NBC, Peacock
Sat., Sept. 16 2:30 p.m. Central Michigan at No. 13 Notre Dame Peacock
Sat., Sept. 16 5 p.m. No. 10 Washington at Michigan State Peacock
Sat., Sept. 16 7:30 p.m. Syracuse at Purdue NBC, Peacock
Sat., Sept. 23 7:30 p.m. No. 3 Ohio State at No. 13 Notre Dame NBC, Peacock
Sat., Oct. 14 7:30 p.m. No. 6 USC at No. 13 Notre Dame NBC, Peacock
Sat., Oct. 28 3:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at No. 13 Notre Dame NBC, Peacock
Sat., Nov. 11 7:30 p.m. Michigan State at No. 3 Ohio State NBC, Peacock
Sat., Nov. 18 3:30 p.m. Wake Forest at No. 13 Notre Dame NBC, Peacock
Fri., Nov. 24 7:30 p.m. No. 7 Penn State at Michigan State (Ford Field) NBC, Peacock

 

The remaining NBC Sports’ Big Ten Football games will be announced during the season, with each matchup typically announced 12 days prior to the scheduled game date.

NBC Sports’ Big Ten Football package features Big Ten Saturday Night on NBC and Peacock – marking the first time ever that Big Ten Football will have a dedicated weekly primetime game on a national broadcast network – and nine exclusive games on Peacock.

Peacock’s expansive programming offers the most live sports of any SVOD service in the United States, featuring live coverage including Sunday Night Football, Olympic Games, Premier League, Notre Dame Football, NASCAR, NTT IndyCar Series, Big Ten football (beginning in September), and much more.  Peacock also offers daily sports programming on the NBC Sports channel.

–NBC SPORTS–

NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH FACE NAVY IN 2023 SEASON OPENER FROM IRELAND THIS SATURDAY AT 2:30 P.M. ET ON NBC AND PEACOCK

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Game Will Be Held at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, as Part of Aer Lingus College Football Classic

The Dan Patrick Show Streaming on Peacock Live from Dublin Starting Tomorrow

Noah Eagle, Jason Garrett, Zora Stephenson and Terry McAulay to Call 2023 Fighting Irish Season Opener

STAMFORD, Conn. – Aug. 23, 2023 – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish host the Navy Midshipmen as they kick off the 2023 season this Saturday, Aug. 26, in the college football season opener at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. The matchup marks the third edition of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.

Saturday marks the third time the Fighting Irish and the Midshipmen have played in Dublin and will be the 96th meeting all-time between the two programs. Notre Dame leads the series, 81-13-1, and is on a five-game winning streak dating back to 2017.

The Fighting Irish are ranked No. 13 in the Associated Press Preseason Top 25 poll. In Marcus Freeman’s first full season as head coach last year, they finished No. 21 in the final College Football Playoff poll with a 9-4 record and notable wins against No. 4 Clemson, No. 16 Syracuse, and No. 19 South Carolina in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. The Midshipmen went 4-8 last season, highlighted by a win against No. 20 UCF.

This will be the Fighting Irish’s first game with new quarterback and Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman, who is the ACC’s all-time leader in touchdown passes. Notre Dame returns one 2022 AP All-American, offensive tackle Joe Alt.

NBC Sports’ Noah Eagle (play-by-play) and Jason Garrett (analyst) will call the game along with Zora Stephenson (sideline reporter) and Terry McAulay (rules analyst). Eagle is replacing Jac Collinsworth, who is under the weather and unable to travel. Collinsworth plans to be back next week when the Fighting Irish host Tennessee State on Saturday, Sept. 2.

NBC Sports’ College Countdown studio team of Maria Taylor, Michael Robinson, Joshua Perry, Matt Cassel, and Nicole Auerbach will host pregame and halftime coverage from NBC Sports’ Studio 1 in Stamford, Conn. This will be the first time that this studio team will work together. Click here for more information about the team.

The Dan Patrick Show, NBC Sports’ daily national sports talk program that streams on Peacock, will be live from Dublin starting today, Wednesday, Aug. 23 through Friday, Aug. 25 from 9 a.m. ET to noon ET. Select guests that will appear during the week include comedian and actor Will Ferrell and Jason Garrett, while Patrick himself is expected to be interviewed during Saturday’s game.

The ND on NBC Podcast, hosted by former Notre Dame wide receiver Corey Robinson, returns this week and will release weekly episodes/additional content throughout the season. Episodes can be listened to here and wherever you listen to podcasts.

Throughout the 2023 season, Peacock will simulstream all Notre Dame games aired live on NBC, including pre- and postgame coverage as well as exclusively present a matchup for the third consecutive season when the Fighting Irish host Central Michigan on Sat., Sept. 16, at 2:30 p.m. ET.

NBC SPORTS ATHLETE DIRECT – NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL FAN CLUB

This Friday, Aug. 25, NBC Sports Athlete Direct – a community linking college student-athletes and advertisers through a trusted platform, enabling student-athletes to monetize their name, image and likeness – will launch a subscription-based student-athlete Fan Club with the Notre Dame Football team. Student-athletes will share in the revenue of all membership sales.

The Fan Club, which gives Fighting Irish fans unprecedented access to their favorite student-athletes and enables fans to support them for a season-long price of $29.99, features exclusive content and perks such as:

  • Exclusive players-only podcast
  • Virtual meet and greet with student-athletes
  • NBC Sports game notes
  • Exclusive weekly content from NBC Sports

NBC SPORTS’ 2023 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Date Time (ET) Opponent Platform
Sat., Aug. 26 2:30 p.m. Navy (in Ireland) NBC, Peacock
Sat., Sept. 2 3:30 p.m. Tennessee State NBC, Peacock
Sat., Sept. 16 2:30 p.m. Central Michigan Peacock
Sat., Sept. 23 7:30 p.m. Ohio State NBC, Peacock
Sat., Oct. 14 7:30 p.m. USC NBC, Peacock
Sat., Oct. 28 3:30 p.m. Pittsburgh NBC, Peacock
Sat., Nov. 18 3:30 p.m. Wake Forest NBC, Peacock

Peacock has previously provided exclusive live coverage of the Notre Dame Football Blue-Gold game, Notre Dame Pro Day and Notre Dame hockey. Peacock’s expansive programming offers the most live sports of any SVOD service in the United States, featuring live coverage including Sunday Night Football, Olympic Games, Premier League, Notre Dame Football, NASCAR, NTT IndyCar Series, Big Ten football (beginning in September), and much more.  Peacock also offers daily sports programming on the NBC Sports channel.

This year, NBC Sports and Notre Dame kick off their 33rd season. NBC Sports and the University of Notre Dame began their landmark Notre Dame Football relationship in 1991 and have renewed the partnership numerous times. The current agreement runs through the 2025 season.

–NBC SPORTS–

NBC SPORTS NAMES COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME ANNOUNCERS FOR 2023 SEASON ON NBC AND PEACOCK

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Notre Dame Football’s 2023 Season Kicks Off vs. Navy in Ireland on Sat., Aug. 26 on NBC and Peacock (2:30 p.m. ET), with Jac Collinsworth, Jason Garrett, Zora Stephenson and Terry McAulay on the Call

Mike Tirico, Chris Simms, Lewis Johnson and Terry McAulay Call NBC Sports’ Big Ten Football Debut Exclusively on Peacock — Michigan Hosts East Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 2 (Noon ET)

West Virginia at Penn State in Big Ten Saturday Night Opener, Sept. 2 on NBC and Peacock (7:30 p.m. ET) Featuring Noah Eagle, Todd Blackledge, Kathryn Tappen and Terry McAulay on the Call

Nicole Auerbach Joins NBC Sports as College Football Insider

NBC Sports to Present Record 31 FBS Games Across NBC and Peacock, Including 13 Consecutive Weekends of Primetime Games

STAMFORD, Conn. – Aug. 2, 2023 – This fall, NBC Sports will present 31 FBS college football games across NBC and Peacock, including primetime games on 13 consecutive weekends – both NBC Sports records.

NBC Sports’ college football game commentary teams feature a dynamic and experienced mix of play-callers, analysts, and sideline reporters. Following are NBC Sports’ college football announcers, with additional commentators to be added as the season progresses:

 

 

 

    • Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Chris Simms (analyst), Lewis Johnson (sidelines) – East Carolina vs. Michigan, as the Big Ten season kicks off one month from today, Sept. 2 on Peacock (Noon ET)

 

    • Brendan Burke (play-by-play), Paul Burmeister (play-by-play), Andrew Siciliano (play-by-play), Joshua Perry (analyst), Michael Robinson (analyst), Kyle Rudolph (analyst) Anthony Herron (analyst), and Caroline Pineda (sidelines) will call Big Ten Football games.

 

      • Burke serves as the lead play-by-play voice for Peacock’s MLB Sunday Leadoff package of exclusive Sunday morning MLB games. Beginning with NBC Sports in 2017, he served as a play-by-play voice of NHL and Premier Lacrosse League coverage, and called hockey at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and rowing and canoeing during the Tokyo Olympics.

 

      • Burmeister serves as a studio host and play-by-play commentator for NBC Sports across numerous properties, including the USFL, All-American Bowl, college basketball, and the Tour de France. Burmeister has worked five Olympics for NBC Sports, most recently during the 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

 

      • Siciliano, a host and play-by-play announcer for NFL Network, hosted NBC Sports’ Gold Zone coverage for two Olympic Games.

 

      • Rudolph, a 12-year NFL veteran and two-time Pro Bowl tight end, has served as an analyst on NBC Sports’ coverage of the USFL and the 2023 Notre Dame Blue-Gold game.

 

      • Herron, a former NFL defensive lineman, serves as an analyst on NBC Sports’ college football coverage including the All-American Bowl and Bayou Classic, and called games during the 2023 USFL season.

 

      • Pineda has reported from Notre Dame’s Blue-Gold game and Football Pro Day, as well as USFL games, NBC Sports’ Atlantic 10 basketball coverage, and the 2023 SiriusXM MLB All-Star Futures Game on Peacock.

 

    • Nicole Auerbach, who has covered college football and basketball at national media outlets since 2011, joins NBC Sports as lead college football insider. She will appear on B1G College Countdown and across college football programming on NBC Sports platforms, providing the latest from the players, coaches and schools that are making news each week. Auerbach will continue covering college football and basketball for The Athletic, in addition to her roles as a studio analyst for the Big Ten Network and a host for SiriusXM.

 

    • NBC Sports’ Sunday Night Football rules analyst Terry McAulay, a referee in 17 of his 20 NFL seasons as an on-field official, and Reggie Smith, who spent 14 years as a referee in the Big 12 (2009-2020) and Big Ten (2020-22) conferences, will serve as college football rules analysts.

 

“We have our gameplan for the most extensive college football season in NBC Sports history across NBC and Peacock,” said NBC Sports Executive Producer Sam Flood. “With our starting lineups now set, we are excited to kick off.”

NBC Sports’ FBS college football games announced to date:

Date Time (ET) Matchup Platform
Sat., Aug. 26 2:30 p.m. Navy vs. Notre Dame (in Ireland) NBC, Peacock
Sat., Sept. 2 Noon East Carolina at Michigan Peacock
Sat., Sept. 2 3:30 p.m. Tennessee State at Notre Dame NBC, Peacock
Sat., Sept. 2 7:30 p.m. West Virginia at Penn State NBC, Peacock
Sat., Sept. 9 Noon Delaware at Penn State Peacock
Sat., Sept. 9 7:30 p.m. Charlotte at Maryland NBC, Peacock
Sat., Sept. 16 2:30 p.m. Central Michigan at Notre Dame Peacock
Sat., Sept. 16 5:00 p.m. Washington at Michigan State Peacock
Sat., Sept. 16 7:30 p.m. Syracuse at Purdue NBC, Peacock
Sat., Sept. 23 7:30 p.m. Ohio State at Notre Dame NBC, Peacock
Sat., Oct. 14 7:30 p.m. USC at Notre Dame NBC, Peacock
Sat., Oct. 28 3:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at Notre Dame NBC, Peacock
Sat., Nov. 11 7:30 p.m. Michigan State at Ohio State NBC, Peacock
Sat., Nov. 18 3:30 p.m. Wake Forest at Notre Dame NBC, Peacock
Fri., Nov. 24 7:30 p.m. Penn State at Michigan State (Ford Field) NBC, Peacock

 

Peacock’s expansive programming offers the most live sports of any SVOD service in the United States, featuring live coverage including Sunday Night Football, Olympic Games, Premier League, Notre Dame Football, NASCAR, NTT IndyCar Series, Big Ten football (beginning in September), and much more.  Peacock also offers daily sports programming on the NBC Sports channel.

–NBC SPORTS–

NBC SPORTS’ 2023 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL SCHEDULE HEADLINED BY PRIMETIME MATCHUPS VS. OHIO STATE AND USC ON NBC & PEACOCK

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Fighting Irish Face Ohio State (Sept. 23) and Long-Time Rival USC (Oct. 14) in Primetime at 7:30 p.m. ET

Peacock Exclusively Streams Matchup Against Central Michigan on Sept. 16 at 2:30 p.m. ET, Presenting an Exclusive Notre Dame Football Game for Third Consecutive Year

Coverage of 2023 Notre Dame Football Season Kicks Off vs. Navy in Ireland on Aug. 26 at 2:30 p.m. ET

All 2023 Notre Dame Football Games on NBC to be Simulstreamed on Peacock

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 24, 2023 – NBC Sports today announced the coverage schedule for its unprecedented 33rd season broadcasting Notre Dame Football, headlined by primetime games against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Sat., Sept. 23, and long-time rival USC Trojans on Sat., Oct. 14, at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

Notre Dame faces Ohio State on Sat., Sept. 23, at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. The Buckeyes lead the all-time series 5-2 and will play in Notre Dame Stadium for the first time since 1996.

Notre Dame hosts USC in a renewal of the greatest intersectional college football rivalry on Sat., Oct. 14, at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. The series dates to 1926 with the two schools playing nearly every year and Notre Dame leads the all-time series 50-37-5.

Peacock exclusively streams a Notre Dame Football game for the third consecutive season on Sat., Sept. 16, when the Fighting Irish host Central Michigan at 2:30 p.m. ET in the first-ever meeting between the teams.

NBC Sports kicks off coverage of Notre Dame’s 2023 season on Sat., Aug. 26, at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, when the Fighting Irish travel to Dublin, Ireland, to play the Navy Midshipmen at Aviva Stadium. After a 35-32 victory over Navy in Baltimore, Md., last season, Notre Dame owns an 81-13-1 advantage in the all-time series.

NBC Sports will also present coverage from Notre Dame Stadium for the Fighting Irish’s games against Tennessee State on Sat., Sept. 2, at 3:30 p.m. ET – which will mark Notre Dame’s first-ever matchup against an HBCU school, versus Pittsburgh on Sat., Oct. 28, at 3:30 p.m. ET, and the final home game of the season against Wake Forest on Sat., Nov. 18, at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

Throughout the 2023 season, Peacock will simulstream all Notre Dame games airing live on NBC, including pre- and postgame coverage. Peacock has previously provided exclusive live coverage of the Notre Dame Football Blue-Gold game, Notre Dame Pro Day and Notre Dame hockey.

Last season, the Fighting Irish finished No. 18 in the AP rankings with a 9-4 record culminating in a 45-38 Gator Bowl win against the South Carolina Gamecocks in head coach Marcus Freeman’s first season leading the program.

NBC SPORTS’ 2023 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
DATE TIME (ET) OPPONENT PLATFORM(S)
Sat., Aug. 26 2:30 p.m. Navy (in Ireland) NBC, Peacock
Sat., Sept. 2 3:30 p.m. Tennessee State NBC, Peacock
Sat., Sept. 16 2:30 p.m. Central Michigan Peacock
Sat., Sept. 23 7:30 p.m. Ohio State NBC, Peacock
Sat., Oct. 14 7:30 p.m. USC NBC, Peacock
Sat., Oct. 28 3:30 p.m. Pittsburgh NBC, Peacock
Sat., Nov. 18 3:30 p.m. Wake Forest NBC, Peacock

 

–NBC SPORTS–

NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL BLUE-GOLD GAME STREAMS LIVE EXCLUSIVELY ON PEACOCK THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 22, AT 2 P.M. ET

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Tony Simeone (Play-By-Play), Kyle Rudolph (Analyst), Caroline Pineda (Reporter), and Kyle Hamilton (Reporter) to Call Blue-Gold Game from Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana

Notre Dame Head Coach Marcus Freeman Will be Mic’d Up Throughout Saturday’s Matchup

STAMFORD, Conn. – April 20, 2023 – Notre Dame Football’s 2023 Blue-Gold Game will stream live exclusively on Peacock this Saturday, April 22, at 2 p.m. ET from Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind.

Play-by-play commentator Tony Simeone will call the action from Notre Dame Stadium joined by analyst and Notre Dame alumnus Kyle Rudolph, a two-time Pro Bowl tight end and NBC Sports USFL analyst. Caroline Pineda and Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton, who was a 2022 NFL first-round pick following a standout three-year career with the Fighting Irish, will report from the sideline.

Second-year Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman will be mic’d up throughout Saturday’s game and will be interviewed during coverage.

Quarterback Sam Hartman, who transferred from Wake Forest following last season where he became the ACC’s all-time leader in touchdown passes, and junior quarterback Tyler Buchner are both expected to take part in Saturday’s Blue-Gold Game.

NBC SPORTS COMMENTATORS

  • Play-by-play: Tony Simeone
  • Analyst: Kyle Rudolph
  • Reporters: Caroline Pineda, Kyle Hamilton

HOW TO WATCH – SATURDAY, APRIL 22

  • Streaming on Peacock: 2-4 p.m. ET (LIVE)

–NBC SPORTS–