Ohio State student misses two field goals for $500,000 on ‘College GameDay’

On November 30, 2024By Littum

As one Ohio State student learned Saturday morning — and as Pat McAfee has insisted for years — successfully kicking a football is a little harder than it looks.

Carson Baer, an Ohio State freshman finance major from suburban Pittsburgh, twice missed a 33-yard field goal Saturday on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” which aired outside Ohio Stadium ahead of Buckeyes‘ highly anticipated game against Indiana.

For the past two seasons, the popular pregame show has had a student at the host school attempt a field goal for $150,000, with McAfee, a former NFL player and college placekicker, taking charge.

Carson, through some pre-kick negotiations, managed to increase the potential payout to $500,000, with $250,000 going to him and $250,000 to the Columbus-based non-profit BuckeyeThonwhich raises awareness and funds for children with cancer.

Carson was on target but short on his first kick before missing his second attempt which barely left the ground and hooked hard to the left. Despite the cold and wet conditions around him, he chose to kick without wearing a shoe.

He handled more than just the pressure of kicking in front of a large crowd and a national television audience as well. Kirk Herbstreit’s golden retriever, Peter, kept getting in the way of the kick while his owner served as holder, although Herbstreit, an Ohio native and former Buckeyes quarterback, was ultimately able to distract him by throwing a ball for him to chase.

Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts