The Week 6 College GameDay was at Alabama. During Pat McAfee’s kicking contest, Gabby, a chemical engineering student, was the lucky one to get to make the kick. But she failed in her first attempt. McAfee, never one to miss a chance to improvise, gave Gabby a golden chance to win $300,000. If Kirb Herstreit throws it through the uprights, she wins. The former Buckeye QB didn’t miss. Now, we learn that McAfee could have avoided losing the money if he had done what Nick Saban asked him to do.

Pat McAfee has given away a whopping $2.85 million this year alone, making this contest one of the most entertaining spots on game day. But the point is that Pat still couldn’t believe that Kirk actually made that throw, that too wearing a suit. “35 yards in a suit, he is 56 years old!” Pat said in the latest episode of his show, which was even joined by former OSU legend, AJ Hawk.

Hawk, on the other hand, cleared his stance on Kirk’s throw, which was the same opinion as Nick Saban. “I think he should have done it left-handed,” Hawk added. Pat quickly validated that statement, saying, “That’s what Nick Saban said. When I got back, Nick Saban said, ‘Should have let him throw lefty.'” Now the celebration during that throw was a major honor to the type of QB Kirk was.

During his initial time at OSU, Kirk was a backup for a couple of years behind other quarterbacks like Greg Frey and Kent Graham. It was during his senior year in 1992 that things really clicked. Kirk was named co-captain alongside linebacker Steve Tovar and was voted team MVP. He threw for 1,904 yards that season, with several games topping 200 passing yards. One highlight was setting an Ohio State record with 28 completions against their big rivals, Michigan, throwing for 271 yards in a tough 13-13 tie.

His record stayed untouched for years until Troy Smith, the Heisman Trophy winner, finally broke it. So, with a resume like this, why is it so hard to believe for Pat that Kirk could actually make that throw? It’s because Kirk’s potential as a QB came into light only during his senior year at OSU. Before that, he didn’t really have much playtime. And on top of that, Kirk didn’t even play pros. After graduating from OSU in 1993, he worked here and there and then pretty fast joined ESPN in 1996.  But his explosive last year stats speak for themselves. And that’s exactly why Nick Saban commented on Kirk using his left hand for that throw.

Kirk Herbstreit’s unwavering support for Gaby

Gabby Mathis really got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity during the kicking contest. Gaby is an Alabama senior studying chemical engineering. But she soon found herself in the spotlight as Pat McAfee brought her into the stands. She was one of the rare female contestants to get a shot at Pat McAfee’s huge $500,000 kicking contest, despite zero prior experience. Her first attempt? Really embarrassing.

She could barely cover 10 yards, even with all the run-up she took. The crowd’s boos echoed her disappointment as she realized she had just missed out on half a million dollars. But Pat McAfee, ever the showman and the guy famous for his wild, unpredictable antics, wasn’t about to leave her hanging. And that’s exactly when Pat drafted his challenge to Kirk in front of the whole crowd.

Everyone watched with bated breath as Kirk stepped up and effortlessly launched a perfect spiral through the uprights, clinching Gabby a jaw-dropping $300,000. Gabby broke down in tears, overwhelmed and joyfully hugging both Pat and Kirk. That throw was a life-changing one for Gabby, who is coming from a humble background. The $300,000 was about making dreams come true. And especially for a student with a bright future yet limited resources.