Texas student wins $1.2 million in College GameDay kicking contest
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 12, 2026, 4:24 PM
Last updated Sep 12, 2026
A Texas student named Connor successfully converted a field goal attempt during the College GameDay broadcast in Austin on September 12, 2026. The attempt followed a series of prize escalations by Pat McAfee, bringing the total value of the successful kick to $1.2 million. Connor performed the kick barefoot with actor Matthew McConaughey in attendance. Before his initial attempt, the student pledged to donate half of the winnings to an Indianapolis-based charity. Separately, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning earned a $500,000 donation for his chosen charity after succeeding in a crossbar challenge during a remote interview. The College GameDay kicking contest is currently in its fourth season, with sponsorship support from Home Depot.
- •Connor successfully kicked a field goal to earn $1.2 million in prize money.
- •The student pledged to donate 50% of his winnings to a charity in Indianapolis.
- •Pat McAfee, Kirk Herbstreit, and Matthew McConaughey contributed to the final prize total.
- •Oregon coach Dan Lanning won $500,000 for charity in a separate crossbar challenge.
- •Home Depot is sponsoring the contest during the 2026 season.
- 4:24 PMYahoo Sports — Texas football fan delivers best College GameDay kick ever for $1.2 million
- 4:00 PMYahoo Sports — Texas student succeeds in $1.2 million kick on ‘College GameDay’
"Pat McAfee’s College GameDay kicking contest is back and bigger than ever in 2026. And after just two weeks, it’s already given away its largest prize in its history. The kicking contest had an uncertain fate before the 2026 season got underway, but was finally confirmed last month for a fourth season. After giving away millions of…
"One Texas Longhorns fan won $1.2 million on ESPN College GameDay, showing off impressive power on his viral field goal kick.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 12, 2026, 4:24 PMTexas football fan delivers best College GameDay kick ever for $1.2 million
One Texas Longhorns fan won $1.2 million on ESPN College GameDay, showing off impressive power on his viral field goal kick.
- Yahoo SportsSep 12, 2026, 4:00 PMTexas student succeeds in $1.2 million kick on ‘College GameDay’
Pat McAfee’s College GameDay kicking contest is back and bigger than ever in 2026. And after just two weeks, it’s already given away its largest prize in its history. The kicking contest had an uncertain fate before the 2026 season got underway, but was finally confirmed last month for a fourth season. After giving away millions of…
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