ESPN Found a Radiant New Star During Bizarre Florida State

Key Points:

• A power outage at Doak Campbell Stadium caused a nearly two-hour delay before the Florida State vs. SMU college football game, resulting in a lack of essential technology such as Wi-Fi, game clocks, and communication devices.
• ESPN sideline reporter Taylor McGregor provided calm, real-time updates during the outage, explaining the challenges and relaying information from officials and coaches as the stadium worked to restore lighting with generators.
• McGregor, who has been with ESPN since 2019 and has a background in broadcast journalism and sports, credited her confidence and relationships with coaches for enabling her to navigate the unusual situation effectively.
• Despite the technical difficulties, including non-functional monitors in the broadcast booth, ESPN commentators and McGregor maintained professionalism, with announcers calling the game based solely on their on-field observations.
• The game eventually resumed under dim lighting conditions, with limited technology and communication, showcasing a return to a more old-school style of football gameplay and broadcasting.