Ed Lamb Defended Former Teammate Steve Sarkisian
Northern Colorado coach Ed Lamb supported Steve Sarkisian amid fallout from a viral AI-generated video.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Football
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University of Northern Colorado coach Ed Lamb has defended former BYU teammate Steve Sarkisian following controversy involving an AI-generated video. The deceptive footage falsely depicted the Texas coach hitting ESPN reporter Holly Rowe.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the growing threat of deepfake technology in sports media and the subsequent fallout for public figures. Ed Lamb emphasized his support for Sarkisian, citing their professional history and their time together as college players.
The University of Northern Colorado team holds an 0-3 record heading into their game against Northeastern State. Holly Rowe has maintained a 30-year career as a reporter with ESPN and ABC.
The players
Ed Lamb
Ed Lamb is the head football coach at the University of Northern Colorado who previously played as a defensive end at BYU.
Steve Sarkisian
Steve Sarkisian serves as the head football coach for the University of Texas at Austin.
Holly Rowe
Holly Rowe is a veteran sports reporter for ESPN and ABC who has covered collegiate athletics for three decades.
Arch Manning
Arch Manning is a quarterback for the University of Texas football team.
Chris Fowler
Chris Fowler is an experienced ESPN announcer and play-by-play commentator.
The details
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian issued a formal apology after leaving a post-game interview with Holly Rowe, while quarterback Arch Manning also apologized for laughing at the manipulated footage. ESPN announcer Chris Fowler publicly defended Rowe against the viral misrepresentation.
Timeline
Ed Lamb and Steve Sarkisian were BYU teammates during the 1990s.
The article regarding the AI controversy was published on September 19, 2026.
UNC hosts Northeastern State at 6 p.m. on September 20, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This controversy mirrors the broader impact of AI-generated misinformation on the reputation of collegiate athletic programs. It complicates the public narrative surrounding the Texas football season during a critical stretch of play.
The University of Northern Colorado continues to prepare for their upcoming matchup against Northeastern State on September 20. Fans tracking team performance should note the current 0-3 start as the squad attempts to secure their first win of the season.
The takeaway
Public figures are increasingly forced to manage reputations against sophisticated, AI-generated disinformation campaigns. Observers should verify the origin and authenticity of viral clips before reacting to inflammatory content.
Further reading
Learn more about local gridiron updates on the Football section.
More information
For game day access and details, visit the UNC athletics ticket purchasing portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Greeley Tribune.
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Do you verify the authenticity of viral social media videos before trusting them as factual?
