As it turns out, Matt Millen is not a revered broadcaster by Nebraska football fans. In fact, it’s safe to say that after the Purdue game broadcast, he’s one of the least popular media figures in Huskerland.
At issue when it comes to the rift between Nebraska football fans and Millen is that they believe he was lathering on the praise for Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell just a little too thick. Many of the Husker fans who were more than a little frustrated took to social media in order to voice their displeasure.
On the flip side, there were very few people who felt as though Millen was being fair in handling the game. Some felt, despite the fact that it was a slugfest and a close contest, that the Fox broadcaster leaned heavily one way.
The animosity for the analyst continued into Monday, when more than a few Husker fans joked about Millen apparently having a vote for players of the week, considering O’Connell was named one and Trey Palmer and his nearly 300 total yards was not.
What about Palmer? Matt Millen must've had a vote...
— Danny Sterns (@5Sterns) October 17, 2022
Matt Millen is just brutal with commentary.
— Husker View (@HuskerView) October 16, 2022
How is Matt Millen still employed? He just said the offensive line has been playing better? Better than what?
— Five Heart Podcast (@5heartpodcast) October 16, 2022
Matt Millen watching Purdue’s QB… pic.twitter.com/kms9EcEoSD
— Scott Duncan (@BigRedSox7) October 16, 2022
Nobody hire Matt Millen as a personnel man in the NFL. He will draft 31-year-old Aidan O’Connell for completing 30 well-designed slants and picks against a bad secondary at 1-1.
— Derek Martin (@d2mart) October 16, 2022
Listening to Matt Millen commentate on @BigTenNetwork makes me want to swim into a boat motor
— Kolby Blatchford (@KolbyBlatchford) October 16, 2022
Aiden O’ Connells wife checking his dm’s seeing Matt Millen trying to come through
— Kane (@Toolfan402) October 16, 2022
It should be pointed out in Millen’s defense that O’Connell was absolutely torching the Nebraska football defense to the tune of 391 yards and four touchdowns. However, Husker fans felt like most of his commentary seemed to be centered on proclaiming every throw he made as nearly perfect.
That was despite the fact that for the most part, the Purdue quarterback’s throws were of the slant variety and that didn’t require him to throw it too far downfield. In other words, more than a few Husker fans felt the praise was unwarranted.
Others felt like Trey Palmer’s record setting game was being overshadowed despite the fact that the game was punch-counter punch. In that regard, Nebraska football fans felt as though Palmer should have been getting as much praise as the Purdue signal caller.