Texas Tech Student Avenges a State Championship Missed XP at Pat McAfee’s Kicking Contest

John Machtolff exorcised some demons from his high school kicking career and cashed in on ‘College GameDay.’

Texas Tech student celebrates winning Pat McAfee’s kicking contest with mascot Raider Red and Kirk Herbstreit. / via Pat McAfee Show on X

Pat McAfee swore that Texas Tech biology major John Machtolff—an aspiring dentist with a soccer and football background—would only get one attempt in today’s kicking contest on College GameDay.

Ahead of his kick, Machtolff shared a story of woe on the gridiron. As a junior, he said he missed an extra point in a state championship game that his school lost by one point, and was stripped of those duties the following year. Even with that sordid history, McAfee only offered up one attempt for $500,000, and it wasn’t pretty for the Texas Tech senior.

JOHN LOOKS VERY COOL

ONE SHOT FOR $500,000

NO GOOD #CollegeGameDay https://t.co/D6gDK90nNq pic.twitter.com/EQj6AGgG2n

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 8, 2025

Of course, McAfee will always give a nod to good TV. As the West Texas sun beat down and the pleas from the Red Raiders fans poured in, McAfee went back on his promise, offering a second and final try for $250,000 to Machtolff and another $250,000 to a charity in Lubbock.

On his second attempt, John sent it right through the uprights.

ONE MORE KICK JOHN

$250,000 TO YOU & $250,000 TO CHARITY

🗣🗣JOHN JOHN JOHN JOHN

GOOD FOR JOHN

YOU DID IT #CollegeGameDay https://t.co/b1gLV5C5jB pic.twitter.com/obEsBEzhYb

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 8, 2025

McAfee and College GameDay certainly have a knack for finding former kickers as of late. Catch up on the entire season of kicks and find out exactly how much money McAfee has given away this season here.

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