Minnesota-Penn State Game Delivers Monster TV Ratings For ABC

MINNEAPOLIS — ABC and its sister network, ESPN, can thank the Gophers for delivering massive television ratings during their huge upset over the Nittany Lions Saturday. ABC says its national broadcast of Penn State at Minnesota generated the network’s most-watched noon kickoff game in nearly three seasons.

Both teams were 8-0 heading into the matchup. An average of 6,736,000 football fans across the United States tuned in to watch the Gophers take down the No. 4 team in the country.

The audience peaked late in the fourth quarter at 8,749,000 viewers. The Minneapolis market drew a 19.5 local rating, making it the network's most-watched college football game in the Twin Cities metro area since records started back in 2000.

Top five local markets for the Minnesota-Penn State game:

1. Minneapolis: Local rating of 19.5
2. Pittsburgh: Local rating of 12.8
3. Columbus: Local rating of 9.2
4. Philadelphia: Local rating of 8.7
5. Greenville: Local rating of 8.2

The Big Ten clash helped ABC generate a 75 percent increase year over year for the week across its entire tripleheader Saturday, which included USC at Arizona State and Clemson at NC State.

Additionally, the audience for Penn State at Minnesota ranks among the best for games this season across all networks, ranking ninth overall.

The Gophers' magical season continues

An appearance in the College Football Playoff is potentially on the line for the Minnesota Gophers this week as they prepare for Iowa.

Read more: Minnesota Gophers Play Iowa Hawkeyes: Kickoff Time, TV, Tickets