Joe Tessitore had the kind of snap-call moment broadcasters live for Saturday night in Austin.
Late in the first half of Mississippi State’s game against Texas, Bulldogs quarterback AJ Swann took a shotgun snap on 2nd-and-7 from the Longhorns’ 34-yard line. After being hit by linebacker Rasheem Biles, Swann lost the ball, and the loose football bounced twice before defensive tackle Maraad Watson grabbed it. Watson then turned it into a 61-yard fumble return touchdown, and Tessitore’s call matched the chaos.
“Ball is out! The ball is out, and it’s in the hands of [Maraad] Watson!”
Tessitore exclaimed as Watson raced up the sideline with a convoy of blockers. “Three-hundred-and-thirty-three-pound Maraad Watson!
Like a tractor-trailer going through the Texas night… get that guy some oxygen!”
"BALL IS OUT! THE BALL IS OUT!
AND IT'S IN THE HANDS OF WATSON! 333-POUND MARAAD WATSON!
LIKE A TRACTOR TRAILER GOING THROUGH THE TEXAS NIGHT… GET THAT GUY SOME OXYGEN!"
pic.twitter.com/MDpxhBR4zs
- Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 1, 2026
The touchdown stood out as the biggest play in Texas’ 31-3 win over Mississippi State, but Tessitore’s delivery drew plenty of attention of its own. Fans quickly praised the call on social media.
EASTBOUND AND TOUCHDOWN!
- Richard Blosser (@Rbloss64) November 1, 2026
Hey @JoeTessESPN as a dad with son that inspires to be like you that was a fn 10 of a call!!!!!
- Bob (@BobbyTrump1984) November 1, 2026
Texas’ next game is set for Nov. 7 at noon ET on ESPN, when the Longhorns travel to Columbia, MO to face Missouri. Where Tessitore will be in Week 10 has not yet been determined.