ESPN+ commentates the Drake vs Valparaiso battle — watch from home or the gym

The tenth of October sees the return of Todd Ickow, backed by Tom Byrne, as they commentate the NCAA Division I Competitive Fitness Competition between Drake and Valparaiso. The match goes live at 19:00 UK time, and the pair will be tuned in through ESPN's network.

The broadcast runs over ESPN Unlimited and ESPN+ USA, with Todd Ickow taking the main commentator role and Tom Byrne filling in as co-commentator. That means the action is available to fans worldwide through the unlimited feed, while those on the subscription-based ESPN+ USA tier can follow along too.

A familiar face in the commentary box

Todd Ickow is a name many fans will recognise from the college football commentary circuit. He has fronted several matches ahead of ESPN, working alongside a rotating roster of co-commentators across the week-by-week competition. His involvement at Valparaiso follows a similar stint earlier this year, where he shared duties with Rev. Brian Konkol at the Halftime event.

Tom Byrne brings his own background to the mix. He has spoken publicly about his radio journey, including a feature on the Mad Dog Channel podcast where he broke down his career in radio ahead of taking on commentary duties here.

Where to watch

Head to ESPN Unlimited for the full worldwide feed, or log into ESPN+ USA if you are on the subscription tier. Both will have Todd Ickow and Tom Byrne covering the Drake versus Valparaiso showdown as it develops.

For full details on the teams and the matchup itself, the competition's profile is worth a look through the official college football match database.

Drake vs Valparaiso match details

Article generated: 10 October 2026, 19:06 GMT