One University of Alabama student is $300,000 richer on Saturday thanks to an assist from Kirk Herbstreit.
ESPN’s “College GameDay” show held its weekly kicking competition, where a student has the chance to win prizes if they can hit a field goal. Saturday’s contestant, chemical engineering student Gabby Mathis, had no prior kicking experience, and it showed. She was not even able to get the football off the ground in her initial attempts.
Pat McAfee decided to throw Mathis an assist. He had her forego her last attempt and instead offered her $300,000 if Herbstreit could throw the ball between the uprights.
Herbstreit, of course, is a former Ohio State quarterback. Even though he had to make the throw in a suit and was not given a chance to warm up, he had no problem making an accurate toss.
"If Kirk Herbstreit can throw that football through those uprights, we'll give you $300,000." —@PatMcAfeeShow @KirkHerbstreit just helped this Alabama student secure the bag 😱🔥 pic.twitter.com/xMxVRWXLAw
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 4, 2025
This part of “GameDay” has been a little chaotic at times this year, but this was one of the brighter moments. Mathis was obviously thrilled to receive what amounted to a big gift from McAfee, and it made for very good television.
McAfee isn’t always this generous. Some of his previous kicking contests have ended in downright brutal fashion for the person doing the kicking.
