A man due to be a contestant on Pat McAfee’s “College GameDay” kicking contest appeared to suffer a serious injury before he was due to take part.
Former All-Pro punter McAfee offers one lucky fan the chance to win $100,000 by making a 33-yard field goal live on the pregame show. Saturday’s edition of the show was in Indiana for the unbeaten Hoosiers’ showdown with Washington at Memorial Stadium.
Indiana fan Jake was selected from the crowd to take part, but he slipped and landed awkwardly on his knee as he warmed up backstage. Footage of the incident was shared on social media by Boston Connor – a panelist on McAfee’s daily ESPN talk show.
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He posted on X: “BREAKING: Gameday kicker #1 has blown his knee out warming up. A replacement kicker will be needed.” McAfee later told viewers he believed Jake had suffered a torn ACL.
GameDay host Rece Davis described the incident as a “catastrophe,” while McAfee said: “This is the backup kicker – the first kicker selected is in the hospital, maybe even surgery right now. Thoughts and prayers to Jake’s knee”
Jake was replaced by Jeram Salles, a freshman finance major from Chicago, and he had the chance to bank $100,000 for both himself and the stricken Jake. He pulled his first attempt well left of the uprights before striking an even worse kick with his second shot when the stakes were raised to $150,000, meaning both he and Jake were left empty-handed.
At least in Salles’ case, the pain was only emotional.
McAfee was ruthless in his verdict. “This guy stinks,” he bellowed. “Jeram, you’re going to go on to do great things, kid, but you suck at kicking and that’s a beautiful thing.”
Despite coming up short in the kicking contest, it was a day to remember for Hoosiers fans. Curt Cignetti’s team romped to a 31-17 victory over the Huskies to improve to 8-0 on the season, keeping their hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff alive and well.
Quarterback Tayven Jackson was subdued with just 124 yards through the air, throwing a touchdown and an interception. But running back Justice Ellison stepped up big with 123 yards and a touchdown, while D’Angelo Ponds hauled in two interceptions.
The Hoosiers are back in action on Nov. 2, heading to East Lansing to take on Michigan State before hosting Michigan on Nov. 9. A huge showdown with Big Ten championship rivals Ohio State follows a week later.
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