Joe Tessitore went wild in iconic call of Auburn-Baylor

Auburn survived a thrilling finish on Saturday in Atlanta.

With just nine seconds remaining, Baylor scored a potential game-tying touchdown on fourth down. Rather than play for overtime, the Bears went for the win. Florida transfer quarterback DJ Lagway found Matthew Klopfenstein, but Auburn safety Eric Winters stuffed him at the goal line.

It was a dramatic debut win for new Tigers coach Alex Golesh, and ESPN announcer Joe Tessitore helped sell that drama with his impassioned reaction to Auburn’s two-point goal-line stand.

“Oh my! It’s denied!” Tessitore said. “Klopfenstein is stopped inches short of the goal line! Eric Winters!”

JOE TESSITORE GOES WILD IN THE BAYLOR-AUBURN FINISH 🏈🎙️ pic.twitter.com/f1pqDYPISP

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 5, 2026

It certainly wasn’t a pretty win for the Tigers. New quarterback Byrum Brown threw three interceptions, and his only touchdown came on the ground. Lagway, however, accounted for a pair of turnovers of his own, and Auburn took advantage of enough opportunities to get the win in what was the most thrilling game so far on Saturday.

If we needed any reminder that college football was back, Tessitore’s reaction to that moment surely provided it.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Joe Tessitore went wild in iconic call of Auburn-Baylor