Tyler Hwang, a Vanderbilt student, won $500,000 in a "College GameDay" kicking contest sponsored by Pat McAfee.

ESPN announced the return of "College Gameday," the network's weekly, traveling college football pregame show, to the University of Utah's campus ahead of the Utes' pivotal conference matchup against the Cincinnati Bearcats Saturday.

Vanderbilt student Tyler Hwang won $500,000 on ESPN’s “College GameDay” Saturday morning by making a 33-yard field goal during host Pat McAfee’s weekly kicking contest. McAfee donated another $250,000 to charity, bringing the successful kick’s total to $750,000.

Michigan State's Armorion Smith celebrates after tackling Boston College's Lewis Bond during the first quarter on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. / Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

College GameDay was joined by comedian Nate Bargatze ahead of Saturday's showdown between Vanderbilt and Mizzou.

Amanda Brooks got inspired as a Vanderbilt student during College GameDay in 2008. When "College GameDay" came to Vanderbilt in 2008, Amanda Brooks was in her fifth week as a divinity school student. "I loved it, but I was starting to think maybe this isn't the path for me," she said.

Two bold-minded individuals broke onto ESPN's College GameDay set live from Nashville, Tennessee ahead of the Missouri at Vanderbilt game on Saturday. A video

Tyler Hwang, a Dover-Sherborn graduate and Vanderbilt student, hit what Kirk Herbstreit called "the best kick we've ever had" on the show.