A BYU freshman in a Spider-Man suit just made the most valuable kick of his life. Carter Smith made a 33-yard kick on the lawn at Heritage Halls on Saturday morning to win Pat McAfee's "Kicking Is Easy" contest during ESPN's College GameDay, hours before No. 8 BYU hosted No. 2 Notre Dame.
What happened
Smith's first kick hooked wide right. The crowd pushed for another try, and McAfee gave him one. The second split the uprights, and BYU fans broke through the barricades and lifted him up. "CARTER FOR THREE MILLION DOLLARS," McAfee posted. "WHAT A KICK."
He was not supposed to be the kicker. The Deseret News reported that the contest winner was chosen by raffle and that the first name drawn was disqualified for not having identification. Smith's number was called next.
Who he is
Smith is a freshman from Honey Creek, Iowa, studying biology with plans to become a dentist, according to the Deseret News and KSL. He played football and soccer in high school, the Deseret News reported, but he came to GameDay as a fan, not a kicker. Students camped on campus for days to get a spot near the set; KSL reported the line started forming as early as Tuesday morning.
"I didn't really know what to expect, so we just kicked it and hoped for the best," Smith told reporters. He said he prayed before the kick: "God works in mysterious ways." His first purchase? "401K!"
Where the $3 million came from
| Pledge | From |
|---|---|
| $1 million | Pat McAfee's "Kicking Is Easy" contest prize |
| $1 million | Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz and Utah Mammoth |
| $1 million | Ryan Sweeney, Ryan Smith's business partner |
Early reports differ on how the money is divided between Smith and charity. The Deseret News described Ryan Smith and Sweeney adding $1 million for the winner plus a separate $1 million charity donation. EssentiallySports reported half of the total going to charity. We will update this story when the split is confirmed.
Prize winnings are taxable income, so the amount Smith keeps will be smaller than the headline number either way.
A season of big kicks
The contest has become a fixture of McAfee's GameDay segment, and the prizes keep growing. Yahoo Sports reported Smith is the fourth student this season to make a kick for a seven-figure prize. Earlier this fall a Texas freshman won $1.2 million at GameDay in Austin.
The rest of the day
GameDay's visit was the show's second ever to Provo and its first since 2009. Our College GameDay in Provo story has the background on the visit, our BYU vs. Notre Dame recap follows the game itself, and the BYU vs. Notre Dame game-week guide covers the game itself. For the rest of BYU's season, see the BYU football 2026 season guide. Ryan Smith's Jazz open their season next week; our Jazz preseason review has what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the College GameDay kicking contest in Provo?
How much did Carter Smith win?
How long was Carter Smith's kick?
Where was the kick?
How was Carter Smith chosen to kick?
Did Carter Smith play football?
What did Carter Smith say after the kick?
Is Carter Smith the first person to win McAfee's kicking contest this season?
Sources
The facts in this guide were checked against these sources. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm anything time-sensitive with the source before you go. How we make Provo.com.
- Meet the BYU student who won $3 million for kicking a field goal at 'College GameDay', Deseret News. Checked October 17, 2026.
- Spider-Man scores a $3 million payday with one kick at BYU's 'College GameDay', KSL.com. Checked October 17, 2026.
- WATCH: BYU Fans Go Berserk After Kicker Wins $3 Million on College GameDay, Yahoo Sports. Checked October 17, 2026.
- Pat McAfee & Co. Lose $3 Million as BYU Student Flips His Fortune With College GameDay Heroics, EssentiallySports. Checked October 17, 2026.