On Saturday night, we decided to stay up and watch the Hawaii vs. Washington game on ESPN2.  Apparently, the folks at ESPN did not expect many other people to stay up that late.

Why?  Because they stuck some guy named Ed Cunningham as the commentator.  (And yes, now we will make the appropriate “Happy Days” joke.)  We think Richie Cunningham would have done a better job than this guy!  Or hell, even throw Randall in there, since ESPN thinks all former athletes are experts on their sport (see Emmitt Smith).

Anyway, from all his awful analysis, one thing he said stood out to us the most.  Colt Brennan completed a pass to Jason Rivers in the end zone that cut the Washington lead to 28-21.  At first, the ref on the field ruled that Rivers was out-of-bounds, so no catch.  As they show the replay, the fans at the stadium start moaning and cheering for a replay challenge.

At this point, Ed Cunningham emphatically explains to everyone: “You cannot challenge an incomplete pass in college football.”  He says that it’s going to be tough luck for all those Hawaii fans and that they’re griping will go unanswered.  He had no doubt in his mind about this rule, no question about whether this could be challenged.  It could not.

Guess what happens?  The ref announces the play is under review.  After moments of thinking how to cover this obvious gaffe, Cunningham explains that in college football, he has just been told, you can challenge an incomplete pass only in the end zone.

What?  This is another falsity covering up his previous totally incorrect statement.  And this is the last game of the regular season!!!

Are you telling us that Ed Cunningham has not watched a college football game this year where an incomplete pass was reviewed by the replay booth?  That’s not possible - is it?

This guy is getting paid to give commentary on a major college football game and he does not know the basic rules?  It’s not like this was a complex call, such as some slightly illegal formation.  Or a missed yard line, giving credit to the wrong receiver for a catch.  These are understandable to us, as we know calling live action is not easy.

But to not know the rules at this point in college football, come on.  After this, we expected Cunningham to start questioning why the clock did not start immediately after the kick-off.

So Ed Cunningham, do us a favor and learn at least some basic rules of the game before you ever get up in the booth again.  You are an embarrassment.