Rating Coverage of the Big Red

The Reader's Media Notes reviewed late-evening newscast sports coverage of the Nebraska-Texas A&M football game Saturday.

KPTM
The Game Plan: "The N Zone"

Quotable: "Woah baby! That's all I gotta say." - Sports Director JJ Davis.

The Big Play: Highlights off the top of the newscast were cut from video shot at the game and not pulled from the ABC Sports broadcast.

Extra Point: The highlights package revealed that it was KPTM photojournalist Jason Pressler who was knocked over on the sidelines by Texas A&M running back Mike Goodson.

Turnover: Though it was teased three times, complete Husker coverage did not air until 39 minutes into the newscast - seemingly an odd time slot for a sports segment compared to weeknights.

Overtime: Though not part of its Husker coverage, a KPTM camera got a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse at UNO Coach Pat Behrns' pre-game lockerroom speech.

Time of Possession: 64 seconds of highlights off the top of the newscast. 2:50 of highlights in main sports. Total coverage: 8 minutes.


KETV
The Game Plan: "The Big Red Zone"

Quotable: "Tackling is disallowed on the play." - Weekend sports anchor Matt Schick.

The Big Play: Schick's clever quips during the highlights included an emphasis on Barry Turner's block of a Texas A&M field goal, a pivotal play that cleared the way for Nebraska's comeback.

Extra Point: Sports Director Jon Schuetz reported live outside Kyle Field, allowing Schick the opportunity to question him about how well the Huskers handled the Aggies' rowdy crowd.

Hustle Award: Schuetz's analysis piece included sound from Zac Taylor, Bill Callahan, Jay Moore, Tierre Green and Maurice Purify.

Turnover: A video montage to open the newscast, set to Rob Thomas' "This is how a Heart Breaks" seemed out of place after Nebraska came back to win in the final seconds.

Overtime: Schick plugged his blog, which featured more than a half-dozen entries related to Saturday's game.

Time of Possession: Ten minutes of coverage off the top of the newscast, including 2:20 of highlights and a 2:00 analysis piece by Schuetz.


KMTV
The Game Plan: "Big Red Now" Report

Quotable: "The sun goes down, the lights go on and Zac Taylor heats up." - Weekend sports anchor Matt Seigel.

The Big Plays: No footage from ABC Sports was used for any highlights. "Big Red Now Notes" were well-researched and included more information than just key statistics.

Extra Point: Photojournalist Pete McIntyre's field-level shot of Jovorskie Lane's 44-yard halfback bomb to Chad Schroeder, which showed just how marvelous a pass it was.

Hustle Award: KMTV was the only station to air post-game comments from Texas A&M Coach Dennis Franchione.

Turnover: The screen went to black between highlights and post-game reaction.

Armchair Quarterback: Why open the sports segment with a full screen graphic of the final score, rather than video?

Crowd Noise: Music playing beneath the highlights was almost too soft to be heard.

Time of Possession: 45 seconds of highlights four minutes into the newscast, 2:25 of highlights in the main sports cast, as well as a 1:45 analysis piece by Sports Director Travis Justice. Total coverage: 9 minutes.


WOWT
The Game Plan: "Big Red Extra"

Quotable: "Nebraska had their (sic) hands full." - News anchor Jaime McCutcheon.

The Big Play: Sports Director Dave Webber did his standup in the same part of the end zone at Kyle Field where Maurice Purify made the game-winning catch.

Extra Point: A continuous scroll of game statistics during the opening highlights segment.

Armchair Quarterback: If the No. 1 station only delivers six minutes of Husker coverage, is that all Nebraska fans want?

Crowd Noise: Music adds a nice touch to weekend sports anchor John Chapman's otherwise monotone delivery.

Time of Possession: 1:57 of pre-voiced over highlights off the top of the newscast, as well as a 3:25 analysis piece by Sports Director Dave Webber. Total coverage: 6 minutes.