Gus Johnson Showed Why He's The Best Football Announcer During USC-Illinois
It wouldn't be a wild Big Ten college football finish without FOX's Gus Johnson on the call and he delivered once again on Saturday.
In what ended up being absolute pandemonium in Champaign, IL, Johnson did a fantastic job as always of matching the intensity of each moment and it led to some crazy calls down the stretch from one of the best in business.
With roughly 6:30 remaining in the fourth quarter of USC vs. Illinois, the Fighting Illini held a 31-25 lead but fumbled in the end zone while trying to salt the game away. And that was all Gus needed to do his thing in the booth.
'Holy Chicago!'
As Illinois running back Ca'Lil Valentine lost the football just before the line to gain, Johnson exploded with an epic call as partner Joel Klatt sat back and soaked in the moment just like the rest of us.
“HE LOST IT! WHO WANTS IT! OH MY GOODNESS! IN THE END ZONE! USC HAS THE FOOTBALL! HOLY CHICAGO!" Johnson exclaimed . "[CHRISTIAN] PIERCE AGAIN! WHAT A DAY! PUNCHED OUT BY [ERIC] GENTRY! SCRAMBLE! DESIRE! TROJANS BALL, DOWN 31-25!”
The score remained that way until just under two minutes left when USC quarterback Jayden Maiava hit wideout Makai Lemon on a 16-yard strike to put the Trojans up by one after the extra point.
“TOUCHDOWN! LEMON AGAIN! THIS KID!" Gus said . "WE DON’T KNOW WHAT ‘IT’ IS, BUT WE KNOW ‘IT’ WHEN WE SEE ‘IT!’”
Johnson sets up walk-off FG
Johnson followed all of that up by adding even more drama as he narrated the game's final moments ahead of David Olano's game-winning kick to send the Illini to 4-1.
“So, David Olano with the chance to be the hero,” Johnson began. “The junior from Naperville. Homecoming for the Fighting Illini. This team looking to exorcise the demons from Bloomington. And this kid, David Olano, has a chance to do it.”
“Olano, the No. 3 kicker coming out of Naperville North High School here in Illinois, he trots onto the field,” the FOX commentator continued . “One of those career moments for this young man… Here we go! From 41 yards away! Clean snap, good hold, IT’S UP! AND GOOD! ILLINOIS WINS ON A LAST-SECOND WALK-OFF FIELD GOAL BY DAVID OLANO! 34-32!”
Fans loving it
"I know some people dont agree but I think Gus Johnson is the best in college football," an SEC fan said. "I wish he would go to ESPN/ABC so he can call Texas games again."
"GUS JOHNSON IS THE BEST COMMENTATOR IN THE BUSINESS!! Football or basketball!!" another user posted. "Bruh is HILARIOUS in the booth!! 😂😂🔥🔥🫡"
"If Gus Johnson is presiding over a funeral, I'm going," another person claimed.
"Whether you like him or not, Gus Johnson wears his heart on his sleeve doing play by play.😛🏈" another fan replied.
"If you’re not calling a football game like Gus Johnson, do us a favor and find something you really love."
Johnson's unabashed enthusiasm is a huge reason why the games he's a part of feel so massive. We're already looking forward to his assignment next weekend as the CFB season keeps heating up heading into more conference play.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Sep 28, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
