Michigan’s Missed Opportunity: When Commentators and Kickers Share a Moment of Misfortune
In a college football matchup that saw the defending national champions Michigan Wolverines fall to the Oklahoma Sooners 24-13, one particularly awkward moment highlighted the unpredictable nature of live sports broadcasting. During the second quarter, with Michigan trailing by seven points, kicker Dominic Zvada lined up for what ESPN announcer Chris Fowler described as a “chip shot” from 32 yards. Just before the kick, Fowler praised Zvada’s credentials, noting he was “an All-American kicker” who “bombs them from 50-plus easily.” The football gods, however, have a notorious sense of humor when it comes to broadcaster praise—Zvada promptly hooked the attempt wide left, leading to an immediate recognition of the “announcer jinx” from Fowler, who quipped, “I know I’m gonna hear about it. Let’s talk about his technique and not what the announcer said.” Kirk Herbstreit, his broadcast partner, could only express astonishment at the miss from a normally reliable kicker who had converted 33 of 37 field goals inside 40 yards prior to this attempt.
The missed field goal epitomized Michigan’s struggles throughout the evening, as Oklahoma dominated the first half and took a 14-0 lead into the break. The Wolverines’ offense, led by freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, found little rhythm against a determined Sooners defense. Underwood completed just 9 of 24 passes for 142 yards, struggling to generate consistent momentum. Despite a second-half spark from running back Justice Haynes, who broke free for an electrifying 75-yard touchdown run that momentarily energized the Michigan faithful, the Wolverines couldn’t overcome their early deficit and execution errors. The missed field goal, while just three points on the scoreboard, represented the kind of missed opportunity that haunted Michigan throughout the contest.
Oklahoma’s success came largely through the dynamic play of quarterback John Mateer, who delivered a complete performance that Michigan’s defense struggled to contain. Mateer finished with impressive numbers, completing 21 of 34 passes for 270 yards and a touchdown pass, while adding 74 rushing yards and two ground scores. His ability to extend plays and create with both his arm and legs kept Michigan’s defense off-balance throughout the evening. Wide receiver Deion Burks proved to be Mateer’s favorite target, hauling in seven receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown. The connection between Mateer and Burks repeatedly moved the chains and helped the Sooners maintain control of the game’s tempo and momentum.
The loss for Michigan drops them to a 1-1 record early in their championship defense season, raising questions about how they’ll respond to adversity following the departure of their previous head coach and several key players from last year’s title team. For Oklahoma, the victory improves them to 2-0 and serves notice that they’ll be formidable contenders in their new conference. The Sooners’ comprehensive performance—strong quarterback play, explosive receiving options, and a defense that contained a highly-touted freshman quarterback—suggests they have the balance necessary to compete at the highest level of college football this season.
Beyond the statistical breakdown, the game highlighted how quickly fortunes can change in college football. A year ago, Michigan was building toward a national championship while Oklahoma was adapting to a coaching transition. Now, the Wolverines find themselves working through growing pains with new personnel while the Sooners appear to be hitting their stride. The missed field goal sequence—from Fowler’s praise to the hooked kick—serves as a perfect metaphor for how quickly expectations can be upended in sports, where no outcome is guaranteed regardless of past performance or reputation.
For broadcasters like Fowler and Herbstreit, the moment offers a reminder of the peculiar superstition of the “announcer jinx” that seems to materialize whenever a player’s consistency is highlighted. For players like Zvada, it’s a lesson in the mental fortitude required to overcome isolated failures in high-pressure situations. And for fans of both programs, it’s a snapshot of early-season college football—where championships aren’t won or lost in September, but where the identity of teams begins to take shape through both their successes and their stumbles. As Oklahoma moves forward with confidence and Michigan regroups to address their weaknesses, both teams know that in college football’s long season, one missed kick—jinxed or otherwise—is merely one moment in a journey that still has many chapters to be written.
