Overview
- The College GameDay 'Kicking Is Easy' contest, which aired Saturday, Oct. 17, saw BYU freshman Carter Smith miss a 33‑yard try then convert a granted second attempt to win the announced $3 million prize.
- Organizers said the base prize this season starts at $1 million from Pat McAfee and a Home Depot match, and Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith plus partner Ryan Sweeney each pledged $1 million to raise the total to $3 million.
- Producers allowed a second attempt after the initial miss and ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit gave on‑air advice to Smith before his successful kick.
- Fans rushed the set after the kick, knocking down barricades and carrying Smith to celebrate, and broadcasts showed a novelty check originally marked for $100,000 that was crossed out to reflect the larger amount.
- Reports say roughly half of the $3 million will go to charity and half to Carter, but coverage notes limited sourcing and unresolved questions about the legal binding of last‑minute pledges and how production choices and crowd safety will be handled going forward.