Video: Cal Student Nails $100K FG Kick on ESPN College GameDay; Charity Gets $600K

A Cal student had the moment of a lifetime while participating in Pat McAfee's kicking contest on ESPN's College GameDay.

Daniel, a civil engineering major, nailed his second field goal attempt to win a $100,000 prize and a $600,000 donation for Hurricane Helene relief efforts:

Daniel said he's a former soccer player and he has kicked footballs before, but never from such a distance. He was among the students who showed up before midnight on Friday for Saturday morning's broadcast of College GameDay in Berkley. To make the feat even more impressive, he kicked the field goal while wearing a pair of laceless Vans. He celebrated with McAfee and Kirk Herbstreit, the latter of whom held the ball in place for the kick, after the ball sailed through the uprights.

McAfee debuted the kicking contest last year and it has provided some incredible moments at College GameDay. A Washington student won the first edition on his second attempt for a $30,000 prize.

At the beginning of the 2024 season, a Texas A&M freshman won a $50,000 prize after the crowd pressured McAfee to give him a second attempt.

Even comedian Druski got in on the action last week while College GameDay was at Alabama. Unfortunately, his attempt was so far left that it almost went out of the camera frame.

Cal is set to take on No. 8 Miami in its second ACC matchup on Saturday night. The Golden Bears fell to 3-1 after losing their conference opener to Florida State last week, while the Hurricanes are entering the matchup with a perfect 5-0 record.