College football’s historic arrival at Wembley Stadium began with a musical moment that quickly became one of the biggest talking points of the day. Before Kansas and Arizona State took the field for the inaugural Union Jack Classic, guitarist Paige Blake performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” entirely on electric guitar.
Blake stepped onto the Wembley field carrying a striking pink electric guitar and delivered the U.S. national anthem without a vocalist. Instead, the familiar melody was carried completely by her guitar, giving the anthem a powerful rock-inspired sound inside one of the world’s most famous stadiums.
The performance carried additional historical significance. Organizers had announced beforehand that Blake’s rendition would mark the first time the U.S. national anthem had been performed on electric guitar at Wembley Stadium.
Fans watching the broadcast quickly began reacting to the unusual arrangement. Some described getting chills from the performance, while others said they became emotional hearing the American anthem played in such a distinctive way thousands of miles from home.
Several viewers also drew comparisons to legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix, whose unconventional electric-guitar interpretation of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock in 1969 became one of the most famous instrumental performances of the anthem.
Blake’s performance was part of a larger celebration bringing American college football traditions to London. British singer Deb Orah performed “God Save the King,” while the event also featured marching bands, spirit squads and other entertainment designed to recreate the atmosphere of a major U.S. college football game.
The occasion itself was historic. The September 19 matchup between the Kansas Jayhawks and Arizona State Sun Devils was the first college football game ever played at Wembley Stadium, giving both programs the opportunity to compete on an international stage.
Once the game began, Kansas provided the first major highlight. Tate Nagy returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown, putting the Jayhawks in front and immediately giving the London crowd a taste of the explosive special-teams plays college football can produce.
Arizona State responded before halftime. Quarterback Cutter Boley connected with Reed Harris for a 25-yard touchdown, helping the Sun Devils take a 10-7 advantage into the break and shifting the momentum of the contest.
The Sun Devils then produced another spectacular special-teams moment immediately after halftime. Jaren Hamilton returned the opening kickoff of the second half 100 yards for a touchdown, extending Arizona State’s advantage in dramatic fashion.
Arizona State eventually built a 24-7 lead before Kansas attempted a late comeback. Nagy added another touchdown on a 38-yard reception from quarterback Isaiah Marshall, but the Jayhawks could not completely erase the deficit, and Arizona State secured a 24-17 victory.
The Sun Devils left Wembley with the first Union Jack Classic trophy, but the final score was only part of what made the afternoon memorable. Between the historic setting, American college traditions and Blake’s soaring electric-guitar rendition of the national anthem, the event produced a moment that had viewers talking before the football had even started.
