College GameDay turned Pat McAfee’s “Kicking Is Easy” contest into a full-on visual bit on Saturday at Notre Dame, where No. 1 Miami is set to face the No. 11 Fighting Irish.
The weekly field-goal challenge landed on Notre Dame pre-med junior Michael Milano, who was asked to try a 33-yard kick from Library Lawn. His first attempt drifted just wide, which set up the familiar second shot that has become part of the segment’s rhythm.
This time, though, the second try came with a twist. With $1 million at stake, the crew brought out tackling dummies to act as blockers, and one of them immediately grabbed attention: Michael Irvin’s face on an orange jersey with No. 26.
McAfee made sure the joke landed, announcing the arrival on air and on social media while tagging the Cowboys legend and pointing out a second dummy tied to Bubba Gumpino.
Bring out the blockers for this second kick..We've got @michaelirvin88 and @bubbagumpino 😂😂 #CollegeGameDay https://t.co/sbzOIzQ9hP pic.twitter.com/GjlepDqYIw
The gag gave the contest an extra layer of theater, turning a simple kicking challenge into one of the more memorable visuals of the morning.
Milano wasn’t bothered by the setup. He drilled the second kick and walked away with the $1 million prize, setting off a big reaction from the crowd and across social media.
Joe Montana, the NFL great and Notre Dame legend, was there with the Fighting Irish crowd to watch Milano bounce back after narrowly missing short on the first attempt.
Could that be a great omen for Notre Dame before the team’s massive showdown with No. 1 ranked Miami?
In Other News...
Miami Notre Dame Hype Just Reached Another Level
The buzz around Miamis trip to Notre Dame has already spilled into the ticket market, where the matchup has become the priciest seat in the 2026 college football season. At Notre Dame Stadium, the average purchase price has climbed to $753, a record for the venue and a pretty clear sign that this one has captured the imagination well beyond South Bend.
It is not hard to see why. Games like Texas-Texas A&M and Ohio State-Texas are also drawing premium prices, a reminder that rankings and playoff implications can send demand soaring before a snap is even taken. For Notre Dame fans, the next marker arrives Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC, when the stadiums most expensive ticket gets its first real payoff. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Fans Got A GameDay Moment They Wont Forget
College GameDay brought a little extra theater to South Bend, and Notre Dame fans got a front-row seat to one of the broadcasts most memorable side attractions. Pat McAfees Kicking is Easy contest put student Michael Milano in the spotlight, with Joe Montana on set to back him up as the pressure climbed and the challenge got tougher.
Milano eventually drilled a $1 million kick on his second try, giving the crowd the kind of live-TV payoff that tends to linger long after the cameras move on. The day also had a charitable twist, with the Notre Dame leprechaun mascot Riley stepping in to nail a $500,000 kick, adding another layer to a scene that fit the pageantry and unpredictability of GameDay perfectly. [Read more 🡒]
Villanovas Response To Notre Dame Just Sent A Clear Message
Villanova came out of its home game against Holy Cross looking every bit like a team eager to put a rough stretch behind it, rolling to a 95-66 win behind a balanced offensive burst and a dominant night on the glass. Devin Royal led the way with 22 points, while Luigi Suigo added a double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds as the Wildcats controlled the action from start to finish.
For Notre Dame, the part worth watching is how Villanova handled the moment after the Irish had been part of the conversation around the matchup. The Wildcats did not just win, they looked sharp doing it, and Holy Cross never found much rhythm, shooting 33.9% from the field and 31.8% from three-point range. If Notre Dame was looking for a sign of how Villanova might respond, it got one. [Read more 🡒]