ESPN+ carries the Howard v Penn Division I FCS match, with Joe Tordy and Joe Valerio on commentary

The 2026 NCAA Division I Football Competition Series kicks off on Tuesday 10 October 2026, and the Howard v Penn matchup will be shown live on ESPN Unlimited / ESPN+. The match is scheduled for 18:00 UK time, which means American and British viewers alike can tune in as the two teams go head to head on the field.

ESPN+ is one of the headline channels for the 2026 season, offering coverage that blends live field footage with play-by-play commentary from a team of sports casters. For this particular Howard v Penn pairing, the broadcast is front and centre by Joe Tordy, who is taking the play-by-play role, while Joe Valerio steps in as co-commentator to add analyst-style observations throughout the run.

The commentators

Joe Tordy is drawing on a career that has seen him work closely with college football broadcasts for years. According to his own professional profile, he served as a highlight editor and board operator for college football broadcasts, giving him hands-on experience of exactly the kind of live, second-by-second coverage this match demands. That background positions him well to guide viewers through the field as Howard and Penn make their moves.

Joe Valerio brings a different but complementary angle to the mic. He is a familiar figure in sports commentary circles, with a YouTube presence centred on lessons from the gridiron and a range of podcasts where he features as a guest. His involvement in Super Bowl wrap-ups and off-season NFL content suggests he is used to delivering thoughtful, opinion-led analysis alongside the raw footage, which suits the co-commentator role in this partnership.

The reporter

Reporting for the Howard v Penn match is Anna Camden, whose profile ties her to both Penn State and Richmond as a WBB (who's behind broadcast) alum. She is active across social platforms, with an Instagram presence that draws a large following and highlights her role in sports broadcasting. As the reporter, she is expected to keep the studio side of things informed and connected throughout the run.

Where to watch

The cleanest way to follow the Howard v Penn matchup is through ESPN+ in the United States. American viewers can pull up ESPN Unlimited / ESPN+ to catch the full 18:00 UK start, with Joe Tordy and Joe Valerio delivering commentary and Anna Camden reporting from the studio. British audiences can do the same, simply adjusting for the one-hour difference between UK and US broadcast timing.

Whether you are tracking the Division I FCS as a whole or just this single Howard v Penn pair, ESPN+ gives you the live footage and commentary in one place. Keep an eye on the clock for the 18:00 UK window, and you should be well placed to see how the two teams perform on the field.

Article generated: 10 October 2026, 18:16 GMT