Joe Tessitore didn’t ease into Saturday night in Austin. He went full throttle, and Texas gave him the kind of play that lets a broadcaster really let it rip.
Late in the first half of Mississippi State-Texas, Bulldogs quarterback AJ Swann took a shotgun snap on 2nd-and-7 from the Longhorns’ 34-yard line. After linebacker Rasheem Biles got to him, Swann lost the ball, and the loose football bounced twice before defensive tackle Maraad Watson pounced on it. Watson then turned the mistake into a 61-yard fumble return touchdown, and Tessitore’s call matched the moment.
“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 was the biggest highlight of Texas’ 31-3 win over Mississippi State, but Tessitore’s delivery drew plenty of attention in its own right. Fans were quick to praise the broadcast 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 now heads to Columbia, MO, for a meeting with Missouri. Kickoff against the Tigers is set for noon ET on Nov. 7 on ESPN. Where Tessitore lands for Week 10 has not yet been determined.
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