U of Minnesota Quarterback's Fiancée Goes Viral After Being Featured in Broadcast of Game

The Minnesota Golden Gophers beat the Bowling Green Falcons 30–24 at this year's Quick Lane Bowl held at Ford Field in Detroit, MI on Tuesday. But the real takeaway for anyone watching the game—for better or for worse—involved Minnesota's quarterback Cole Kramer and his fiancée Katie Miller, who was featured prominently in the broadcast less than two months from the couple's wedding.

Kramer, a senior in his fifth year, was not supposed to play in the game, much less start. After being defeated by Wisconsin in the final game of the 2023 regular season, Minnesota was initially ineligible to play in the bowl. However, when not enough college football teams reached the 6–6 requirement, Minnesota became bowl eligible due to the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate, which rewards the team with the best grades.

By that point, Minnesota's starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis had already entered the transfer portal, so it was up to Kramer, the backup quarterback, to start the game. The only problem was that he and Miller had been planning to move to Arizona next month and marry in February.

As the announcer explained to the crowd, while the cameras focused on his fiancée, Kramer called Miller, who was in the middle of her shift as a nurse at the time, to tell her about the opportunity. Although he was initially hesitant, Kramer agreed to play with Miller's encouragement.

And while it's undoubtedly a cute story, apparently ESPN's announcers were a tad overzealous in reminding viewers that Kramer and Miller had been on the verge of their wedding when he got the call to play in the game. As such, fans sounded off online to express their exhaustion with the narrative.

"I’m starting to think the only prep this broadcast team did for todays game was the Cole Kramer marriage story," posted one user on X, formerly Twitter.

Another user noted that the commentary was getting "near Musburger levels," referring to announcer Brent Musburger, who famously caused Alabama quarterback A. J. McCarron's then-girlfriend Katherine Webb to go viral during the 2013 BCS National Championship Game telecast.

Others chimed in to reiterate, yes, we get it.

But for her part, Miller seemed unbothered by the attention. Following the game, she posted a tribute to Kramer on Instagram, congratulating him on the win.

"By your side every step of the way," she wrote. "The most humble and hardworking guy, you deserve every good thing and more. So incredibly proud of you and the strength and humility you’ve shown throughout this chapter of your life. I adore you #12… Now let's get MARRIED!!!!"

If nothing else, it will make a heck of a story to tell the grandkids.