Student Won $1.2 Million After Field Goal Kick

A University of Texas at Austin freshman secured a massive prize and sparked $1 million in charitable donations.

Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Philanthropy

Student Won $1.2 Million After Field Goal Kick

Live Poll

Do you believe it is appropriate for companies to use sports contests to drive charitable donations?

Freshman Connor Kacena-Merrell won $1.2 million during a College GameDay contest at the DKR field after successfully kicking a 35-yard field goal. His victory triggered a $1 million charitable pledge from Love, Tito's.

Why it matters

The event generated significant philanthropic support for local and international causes, including the Central Texas Food Bank and Building Tomorrow. This influx of capital highlights how brand-led community engagement can amplify individual achievements into substantial social impacts.

The total contest prize amounted to $1.2 million, which was bolstered by $100,000 contributions each from Pat McAfee and Kirk Herbstreit. Love, Tito's committed $1 million in donations, split evenly between Building Tomorrow and the Central Texas Food Bank.

The players

Connor Kacena-Merrell

He is a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin who won a major televised field goal contest.

Love, Tito's

This is the philanthropic arm of the Austin-based vodka brand that supports community initiatives.

Pat McAfee

He is a well-known sports analyst and television personality who contributed to the contest prize pool.

Kirk Herbstreit

He is a prominent college football analyst and commentator who contributed to the prize pool.

Central Texas Food Bank

This organization works to fight hunger in the Austin area and surrounding communities.

The details

After missing his first attempt, Connor Kacena-Merrell secured the $1.2 million prize on his second kick. His subsequent decision to donate half of his personal winnings to Building Tomorrow was met with a $1 million matching spirit from Love, Tito's, which will provide over one million meals through the Central Texas Food Bank.

September 11, 2026: Connor Kacena-Merrell camped out to participate in the College GameDay setup.
September 12, 2026: The student successfully kicked the winning field goal at the DKR field.

Football
Sept. 18
Texas Will Host UTSA for Non-Conference Finale
Football
Sept. 18
Arch Manning Led Texas to Comeback Victory Against Ohio State
Football
Sept. 20
Texas Receiver Ryan Wingo Returned After Injury

Market Landscape

This move reflects the ongoing corporate trend of integrating brand-led philanthropy with major televised sporting events to maximize exposure. It positions Love, Tito's as a primary leader in the intersection of grassroots community support and national entertainment marketing.

Local residents and supporters of the Central Texas Food Bank will benefit from the over one million meals provided by the donation. For the average shopper, this event highlights the increasing role of commercial brands in funding essential community social safety nets.

The takeaway

Large-scale media contests are increasingly serving as vehicles for significant charitable outcomes beyond the individual winner. Readers can look for similar community-focused matches when brands participate in high-profile local events.