“End of an era” is a phrase so typically overused that the affect it makes an attempt to convey is misplaced. Yet it actually applies to Lee Corso’s final “College GameDay” on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.
Corso, 90, has been with the ESPN school soccer pregame present since its debut in 1987 and been a key a part of it because it broke freed from its studio trappings and have become a touring street present whereas rising right into a nationwide phenomenon. If “College GameDay” was visiting, the sport on campus that Saturday was seemingly the largest within the sport that weekend.
As the present gained reputation, Corso grew to become a face of the game — very like he predicted he would, as unique host Tim Brando recalled to ESPN’s Ryan McGee. Tendencies like all the time holding a No. 2 pencil grew to become a signature trait. That pencil was often used to emphasise his “Not so fast, my friend!” retort to some extent or decide he disagreed with, typically directed at fellow analyst Kirk Herbstreit.
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However, Corso is finest identified for his prediction for the sport that “College GameDay” was spotlighting that Saturday. He revealed his decide by donning the headgear of the mascot from the workforce he believed would win, drawing cheers or boos from the boisterous crowd of scholars and followers gathered to cheer on their college and watch the present in motion.
(Ohio State, web site of Saturday’s “College GameDay” was the place Corso made (*1*) in 1996, choosing the Buckeyes to beat Penn State. The campus has hosted the present 26 occasions, greater than another college.)
It would’ve been laborious to foretell a former head coach at Louisville, Indiana and Northern Illinois ultimately changing into a nationally adored determine and our school soccer dad each Saturday morning. Yet not being as completed as, say, Nick Saban added to Corso’s attraction. It made him extra endearing and accessible.
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Corso knew soccer, but in addition introduced the fervour of a fan to it as an alternative of standing on his achievements to make him an authority. But his accomplishments, together with a enjoying profession as a defensive again and quarterback at Florida State, gave him credibility. He nonetheless ranks third in profession interceptions with the Seminoles, tied with Deion Sanders at 14. Yet Corso was fantastic if folks knew him extra for being Burt Reynolds’ roommate in Tallahassee. It was a enjoyable truth and made for excellent tales.
Appropriately, Corso’s final “College GameDay” comes before one of the vital anticipated school soccer video games of current reminiscence, with No. 1 Texas dealing with No. 3 Ohio State in Columbus. His final decide will likely be such an enormous second that Fox will embody it on its competing “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame present, according to On3’s Brett McMurphy. Additionally, reporter Tom Rinaldi and statistician Chris Fallaca, who labored with Corso at ESPN, can pay tribute to their former colleague on this system.
If Corso dons the pinnacle of Brutus the Buckeye, followers will love him for it. And if he picks the Longhorns by placing on the Hook ‘Em headgear, those self same followers will boo him — however good-naturedly and with love.
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That would be the prevailing emotion outdoors St. John Arena on Saturday. We’ll cherish Coach Corso’s final “College GameDay” and maybe strive not to consider school soccer Saturday mornings with out him.