Fox Sports' Big Noon Saturday rolled into Columbus for what should have been a celebration of Ohio State's offensive firepower. Instead, viewers were treated to a broadcast that felt more like a library reading than a football game. The Buckeyes demolished Kent State 59-3, but the most talked-about performance came from the booth, where veteran play-by-play man Gus Johnson seemed completely checked out.
Johnson, known for his trademark enthusiasm and iconic calls, sounded like a man who'd rather be anywhere else. His subdued tone didn't go unnoticed, especially by former Ohio State linebacker Bobby Carpenter, who unloaded on the broadcaster during his radio show.
"Gus Johnson just sounded like a sad clown out there at the end of the game, like he didn't want to be there calling it," Carpenter said on The Bobby Carpenter Show. "And I don't blame him. It wasn't a compelling game. You knew coming in it probably wasn't gonna be a compelling game. Maybe you get the Western Michigan-Michigan game, and something like that happens, but that's a rarity. You probably thought with a 48, 50-point line, whatever the heck it was, 52, that it was going to be a blowout, and it was. And at the end of the game, Gus is still sitting there, like pouting, as if, like, 'Why am I here? Why do I have to do this?'"
Carpenter wasn't alone in his frustration. Social media lit up with criticism as Johnson failed to muster any excitement for even the most explosive plays. When five-star freshman Chris Henry ripped off a 75-yard touchdown run, Johnson barely raised his voice — a moment that should have been a highlight-reel call fell flat.
"Fox Sports has to do something about Gus Johnson," Atlanta Falcons reporter Joe Patrick posted on X. "This is unacceptable commentary."
Awful Announcing piled on, sharing a clip of Johnson's muted reaction to an Ohio State fumble recovery for a touchdown with a sarcastic jab: "Does Gus Johnson have a reservation at Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse that he's running late for or something?"
One fan account summed up the growing sentiment: "Is Fox afraid to tell Gus Johnson he needs to stop calling games like he's in a library? Sure, it's ridiculous that Big Noon is at Ohio State for a game against Kent State, but if you're assigned to the game, call it normally. The lack of energy is brutal to listen to. I used to love his broadcasts, but this has gotten really bad."
Johnson did show brief flashes of his old self. He perked up for Brandon Inniss' Hail Mary touchdown catch to end the first half, and he found a little energy when Kent State snagged an end-zone interception late in the third quarter. But those moments were few and far between, leaving the impression that Johnson simply phoned it in.
It's understandable that a 59-3 laugher doesn't exactly get the adrenaline pumping. But Johnson's job is to bring energy regardless of the score, and Saturday's performance was a far cry from the broadcaster who once made "Rise and Fire!" a part of the sports lexicon. With Ohio State set to face Illinois in a Big Ten showdown next weekend, fans are hoping Johnson — if he's on the call — can rediscover some of that magic.
For now, the takeaway is clear: even the greats have off days, but when you're the voice of college football's biggest window, a little enthusiasm goes a long way.
