CBS broadcast calls out Clay Patterson for TikTok dance penalty

Stanford defensive lineman Clay Patterson received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Saturday against Hawaii for a seemingly harmless dance celebration. CBS broadcasters Logan Ryan and Rich Walz then put him on blast.

The play occurred with 1:22 remaining in the first half, as Patterson stopped a trick play from the Rainbow Warriors when he came up with a huge sack in the backfield. It was originally supposed to be a 12-yard loss, but that was wiped out by the 15-yard penalty that also gave Hawaii a first down.

“Clay Patterson has been in college 7 years,” Ryan said on the call. “You can’t fool him. But then he does the foolish TikTok dance that looks like it’s gonna be a taunting call. Welcome to Week 0 college football, people. …Clay Patterson, trying to get trending a little bit, cost his team. That might get you a seat next to the coach on the bench right there, Rich.”

"Clay Patterson has been in college 7 years. You can't fool him. But then he does the foolish TikTok dance…"

"It was a disaster play for Hawaii and a disaster dance for Stanford."

Logan Ryan and Rich Walz discuss Clay Patterson's unsportsmanlike conduct (dancing) penalty. pic.twitter.com/wrfMBcDD7U

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 24, 2025

Ultimately, that penalty ended up being pretty costly. The Rainbow Warriors scored a touchdown on the very next play when quarterback Micah Alejado found former Stanford receiver Jackson Harris for a 19-yard touchdown. That gave Hawaii a 14-13 lead heading into halftime.

“It was a disaster play for Hawaii and a disaster dance for Stanford,” Walz said.

Patterson still got credit for the sack on the play and he currently has two in the game with 9:47 to go in the fourth quarter. He’s certainly been a menace in getting to the quarterback, though he likely wishes he had this play back.

Clay Patterson is in his seventh year playing college football and his second year at Stanford. He began his career at Yale in 2019 and remained with the team until 2023. He left tied for second in program history with 22.5 career sacks.

He played only four games for Stanford this past season but appears to have earned himself a larger role in his second year with the program. His ability in getting to the quarterback will be a key skill for the Cardinal defense.

As of this writing, Stanford is clinging to a 20-17 lead with 9:07 remaining. That means the defense will need to tighten up down the stretch and Patterson will play a big role in that. If he can keep causing pressure in the backfield, perhaps he can make up for the early mistake and help his team start 1-0.