Notre Dame Leprechaun and Student Make $1.5 Million in College GameDay Kicks
A memorable Notre Dame setting
The Pat McAfee field goal contest has become a weekly highlight of College GameDay, but its Notre Dame edition stood out. Goalposts were set up on campus with kicks aimed toward the open arms of Touchdown Jesus.
Leprechaun earns charity donation
The leprechaun’s first attempt, worth $200,000, came up short of the uprights. For a second chance, Montana and sponsors Guinness and Coors Light raised the charity donation to $500,000. The mascot made the second kick, prompting celebration from the College GameDay crowd.
Milano lands the million-dollar kick
Milano’s first kick, worth $1 million, hooked to the right of the upright. After a few minutes, organizers brought out Miami-themed tackling dummies to act as blockers while the kicker was iced.
On his second attempt, Milano sent the ball through the uprights down the middle and won $1 million. Together, the successful second-chance kicks brought the total to $1.5 million.
A growing contest total
The event added another successful kicking performance to a season in which the College GameDay contest has given away millions of dollars. The article raises a question about why Pat McAfee can find successful kickers among random students while some top programs have kicking problems. It does not provide an answer to that question.
Key points
- The Notre Dame leprechaun made a second-chance kick worth $500,000 for charity.
- Student Michael Milano won $1 million with his second kick.
- The two successful kicks totaled $1.5 million.
- Joe Montana and sponsors Guinness and Coors Light were part of the event.