Remember when the entire internet was hollerin’ about ESPN announcer Robert Lee, who agreed to change games after being originally scheduled to call the William & Mary-Virginia game? Both parties felt that after events in Charlottesville, maybe having an announcer named Robert Lee wouldn’t be the best idea in the world, given the attention he’d likely draw on social media.
ESPN’s Robert Lee got to call a YSU-Pitt thriller instead of the Virginia game
I think things turned out just fine for the young announcer.
Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
So Lee was moved to a different game, Pitt and Youngstown State. And it sure seems like Lee actually got the better deal.
After falling behind 21-0, Youngstown State clawed back, tying the game at 21 with under four minutes to play. The Panthers, led by former USC QB Max Browne, looked like they were going to finally put the Penguins away in regulation, but Pitt missed a 38 yard field goal as time expired, sending the game to overtime. Browne’s 11-yard scoring strike to Jester Weah gave them the lead, and an interception sealed their 28-21 OT victory.
Even before the game, it was clear that this matchup held some appeal. Youngstown State, coached by former Nebraska coach Bo Pelini, went to the FCS championship game last season, and has a long history of giving FBS teams all they want. Heck, they even beat Pitt, 31-17, back in 2012, which wasn’t that long ago.
And it’s not like Pitt is a bunch of scrubs either. This squad beat national champion Clemson AND Big Ten champion Penn State last year.
Seems like everything worked out well for everybody. Lee wasn’t subjected to ROBERT LEE FROM CHARLOTTESVILLE memes on Twitter, AND he got to call a legitimately exciting game. No matter what happens with UVA and William & Mary, it’ll be hard to compete with that.
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