**Cal Student Narrowly Misses Big Cash Prize in College GameDay's Kicking Contest**

The vibrant atmosphere of ESPN's "College GameDay" descended upon UC Berkeley as the pregame show set up camp ahead of the Golden Bears' matchup against eighth-ranked Miami. The highlight for many during "College GameDay" is the thrilling "Pat McAfee's Kicking Contest," where one fortunate student from the gathered crowd is given the opportunity to attempt a 33-yard field goal for a substantial cash prize.

This week's contestant was Cal student Daniel, who faced a unique set of challenges as he squared off against the contest's high stakes. With $75,000 up for grabs, Daniel's initial kick veered just too far to the right, missing the mark. However, he was granted a second chance with an even higher incentive—$100,000 on the line. Adding to the intensity, McAfee announced that "GameDay" would also increase its donation to Hurricane Helene relief efforts by $100,000, totalling $600,000.

Despite his soccer background, Saturday marked Daniel's inaugural attempt at such a long-distance football kick. He revealed that he arrived at the "College GameDay" set location late Friday night around 11:40 p.m. His choice of footwear, a pair of faceless Vans, quickly became a topic of discussion among the ESPN hosts. "Can we get a shot of the shoes?" prompted Kirk Herbstreit right before Daniel's first attempt, adding to the suspense.

Cal head coach Justin Wilcox also took note, commending Daniel's resolve. "My man Daniel with the checkered Vans," Wilcox remarked. "Borrowed those Jeff Spicoli at Ridgemont High. Split it 33 yards. That's my man."

This particular segment of the show has been in its second year, delivering memorable moments for the audience. Earlier in the 2023 season, a Washington student had the distinction of being the first to win the cash prize. The trend of providing students with second chances seems to be becoming a hallmark of the contest. A Texas A&M freshman named Lucas had a similar experience earlier in the season, making good on his second try after initially missing, and walking away with $50,000.

Although Daniel walked away without the prize money, his effort and the additional donation to Hurricane Helene relief ensured that his participation was still a win for many.