When $500K hangs on a single kick, even the pros get a little nervous—and this time, one Penn State student learned that the hard way.

It all went down during College GameDay at Happy Valley. Pat McAfee and Jason Kelce teamed up to lay out an eye-popping challenge: land a field goal, and they’d cough up $500,000—$250K each. The stakes? Massive. The task? Deceptively simple. 

Entered one brave finance major from the stands. McAfee, smirking, couldn’t help but taunt, “You’re a finance major. Are you a kicker? We shall see!” And just like that, the student stepped up for his big moment.

It was over in a flash, though. As he lined up for the field goal and swung his leg, the ball barely budged. The crowd burst out laughing, and McAfee couldn’t resist his signature commentary: “Kicking isn’t easy!” What should’ve been a chance at glory (and cash) turned into a humbling moment. But the entertainment didn’t end there.

Jason Kelce decided to give it a go. The former Philadelphia center’s attempt went significantly left, missing both times and proving that kicking actually ain’t as easy as it seems. “I’ve got a whole new respect…I suck at kicking, okay!” he admitted. 

It was pretty ironic, considering his rants on his New Heights podcast with brother Travis Kelce about making field goals tougher for kickers. “We need to narrow these field goal posts,” he argued previously, calling for rugby-style goalposts to “make kickers way less valuable.” 

With College GameDay and Big Noon Kickoff both lighting up Happy Valley, Penn State’s weekend was full of surprises—and one student’s half-million-dollar dream turned into a very memorable lesson in humility.

GameDay and Big Noon Kickoff unite at Happy Valley 

GameDay and Big Noon Kickoff hit Happy Valley together Saturday as No. 3 Penn State faces No. 4 Ohio State—a first for both shows.

GameDay’s pit opens at 7:30 a.m., and Big Noon Kickoff fires up their tailgate at 8:30 a.m. (Pro tip: Early birds get the best seats!) Both shows are packing top analysts and ex-athletes, amping up the pregame buzz and fan energy.

For College GameDay, it’s their 24th visit to Penn State—and their 13th time covering a Nittany Lions-Buckeyes matchup, bumping it past the Alabama-LSU rivalry. Big Noon Kickoff also knows its way around Happy Valley, marking its 12th visit and third Penn State feature this season.

It’s a college football faceoff to remember, with two powerhouse shows anchoring it.