College Football: Top Performances Joel Klatt Has Called
Updated Jul. 18, 2025 4:36 p.m. 888 casino register ET
As the lead college football analyst for FOX Sports, Joel Klatt often gets asked about standout player performances in games he has called. Recently, a fan named Roy L posed a challenging question in my podcast: Which player had the best performance in a game I’ve called?
Honestly, that’s a tough one to answer. There’s just too many incredible performances to select a single standout. Instead, I’m excited to share my top five individual performances I’ve had the privilege of calling. Throughout this week, I’ll reveal each of my selections in descending order, and today we’ll discuss my No wow ph club. 1 pick.
Before I dive into my top choice, I want to give a couple of honorable mentions. Kyler Murray’s display in the 2018 Red River Showdown was phenomenal. Although Texas took the win, the former Oklahoma quarterback displayed an unforgettable run down the sideline that might just be the best play I’ve ever witnessed.
Another mention goes to Ohio State quarterback JT Barrett’s comeback performance against Penn State in 2017. If you recall, Saquon Barkley scored a touchdown on the opening kickoff, yet Barrett’s play was nothing short of amazing. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t fit him into my top five.
Here’s the full list of my top performances so far:
- 5. Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. & EDGE JT Tuimoloau at Penn State (2022)
- 4. Michigan EDGE Aidan Hutchinson vs. Ohio State (2021)
- 3 ang app. Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield vs. Oklahoma State (2017)
- 2. Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter vs. TCU (2023)
- 1. West Virginia WR Tavon Austin vs. Oklahoma (2012)
Now onto my top pick, which may come as a surprise to some, but it was truly an unforgettable performance. This game may not be at the forefront of many fans’ memories, but I can recall it like it was just yesterday. Tavon Austin was a leading receiver for West Virginia in 2012, but due to running back injuries, the Mountaineers decided to mix things up and start him at tailback. I remember thinking, “This is odd,” as we hadn’t been informed during the pre-production meetings.
This was a highly anticipated night game in Morgantown, with West Virginia hosting Bob Stoops’ Oklahoma squad, a team that had won three of the previous five Big 12 titles and entered the match with a 7-2 record, poised to vie for another championship.
But there was Austin, taking the field as a running back and looking to upset the Sooners. He racked up an astonishing 21 carries for 344 yards (16.4 yards per carry) and scored two touchdowns. Moreover, he caught four passes for 82 yards, amounting to a remarkable 426 yards of total offense on just 25 touches—essentially averaging 17 yards with every play he made. 774 pub com login
Tavon Austin destroyed Oklahoma’s defense that night, compiling a staggering 426 yards. It was a performance that had me on the edge of my seat every time he touched the ball. Sadly, despite his remarkable efforts, West Virginia lost the game 50-49, with Oklahoma scoring six touchdowns, the last of which clinched the victory with only 24 seconds left on the clock.
Austin’s outstanding performance became a standout moment in a disappointing 7-6 season for West Virginia, yet I will undoubtedly remember this game for many years to come.
Joel Klatt is FOX Sports’ lead college football game analyst and the host of the podcast “The Joel Klatt Show.” Follow him on Twitter at @joelklatt and subscribe to the “Joel Klatt Show” on YouTube.
What do you think makes a college football performance truly unforgettable?
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