Pat McAfee’s College GameDay kicking segment has produced plenty of big moments lately, but Saturday in Iowa City brought a rough one for an Iowa fan.
Finley Banfig, a college freshman and Hawkeyes supporter, got his shot at the million-dollar kick before Iowa’s game against Ohio State. The first attempt barely got going, with the ball only moving forward a few yards in a miss that had the crowd groaning. Banfig was given a second try, and while it was better, it still didn’t turn into a make.
The recent streak of winning kicks had been rolling for weeks before that. College football fans had collected millions for themselves and charity over the past three Saturdays, including a Tennessee fan who won $1.5 million in Week 4 while Peyton Manning watched. Over the last three weeks, students at Ole Miss, Texas and Tennessee combined to earn more than $3.5 million.
Even with the misses, Iowa’s segment still ended with a major payout thanks to former Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark. The Iowa legend, who moved back to the state after retiring from the NFL in 2014, helped create a better ending for Banfig by throwing a 30-yard pass through the uprights. That earned the Hawkeyes fan $150,000, with another $150,000 going to the Iowa Children’s Hospital.
McAfee’s weekly contest continues to send money to charitable causes around the country, and the Iowa Children’s Hospital already holds a special place in Hawkeyes tradition because of the first-quarter wave from Kinnick Stadium. The crowd in Iowa City also had extra reason to be buzzing: College GameDay returned there for the first time in nearly two decades, and former Iowa basketball star and current WNBA player Caitlin Clark was set to serve as guest picker.
In Other News...
Iowa Got One Encouraging Development After A Brutal Night At Ohio State
Iowa left Columbus with the kind of loss that can linger, falling 31-14 to Ohio State after a rough night on both sides of the ball. The Hawkeyes had to navigate more than just the scoreboard, too, as three starters went down during the game, adding another layer of concern to an already difficult trip.
Kirk Ferentz offered at least a bit of relief afterward, saying the injuries to Hank Brown, Deshaun Lee and Zach Lutmer are not expected to be serious. Iowa also got a small lift from backup quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski, who came in and guided the teams only touchdown drive, a modest bright spot on a night that otherwise belonged to the Buckeyes. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Just Got A Frustrating Reality Check Before Washington
Iowas trip to Ohio State turned into a sobering reminder of how thin the margin can be against the sports elite. The No. 14 Hawkeyes came away with a loss after struggling to get much going on offense, with quarterback Hank Brown throwing an interception before leaving the game with a mild sprain, while the defense had a hard time slowing down a Buckeyes attack that kept finding answers.
Jeremiah Smith was at the center of it, piling up 206 receiving yards and two touchdowns while also moving into Ohio States all-time lead in receptions and tying the program career touchdown record. For Iowa, the more immediate concern is what the performance and the injuries mean heading into Washington, where the Hawkeyes will need to regroup quickly if they want to avoid carrying this frustration into another big matchup. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Let Ohio State Hang Around Until One Problem Took Over
Iowa had Ohio State in a game for long stretches at Kinnick Stadium, even as the Buckeyes left with a 31-14 win. The Hawkeyes did a respectable job slowing the ground game, holding Ohio State to 3.4 yards per carry on 47 rushing attempts, and for stretches the defense gave the home crowd reason to think the upset was within reach.
Jeremiah Smith changed the feel of the night. The Ohio State receiver repeatedly found space downfield, finishing with 11 catches for 206 yards and two touchdowns, and Iowa never found a clean answer once the Buckeyes decided to lean on him. The Hawkeyes also had chances to tighten things up, but penalties and mistakes kept them from turning those openings into real pressure on the No. 1 team. [Read more 🡒]