Utah Prevails in GameDay Kicking Chaos

**Chaos, Controversy, and an Overturned Call Deliver Wild ‘Kick of the Day’ Win for Utah Students at College GameDay**

**SALT LAKE CITY – October 28, 2023** – What started as a spirited pre-game contest on ESPN’s “College GameDay” in Salt Lake City on Saturday morning quickly devolved into a chaotic, dramatic, and ultimately triumphant affair for a trio of University of Utah students. Pat McAfee’s popular “Kick of the Day” segment, typically a straightforward field goal challenge, became what McAfee himself dubbed “the most chaotic edition yet” after an on-field interference call led to a rare video review and overturn.

The spectacle unfolded on the “College GameDay” set, positioned on President’s Circle on the University of Utah campus, just hours before the highly anticipated Pac-12 showdown between No. 13 Utah and No. 8 Oregon. Unlike the usual format of one kicker representing each school, Utah upped the ante, bringing three student contenders: Alex, Charlie, and Andrew. Their mission was to boot a field goal over a challenging 50-yard sign.

However, McAfee introduced a twist that ignited the controversy. He invited several enthusiastic Oregon Ducks fans to stand near the kickers, acting as “blockers” in an attempt to disrupt their concentration. The plan backfired spectacularly during Alex’s turn. As he stepped up for his kick, one of the Oregon “blockers” clearly made contact with him, interfering with his stride and the trajectory of the ball.

Referee Bill “BAM” McChesney, initially missed the interference, signaling the kick as a miss. The decision immediately sparked a furious uproar from the assembled crowd and from McAfee himself, who vehemently protested the blatant contact. Recognizing the clear foul, McAfee swiftly pulled out his phone, reviewing the incident live on the massive screen for all to see.

The replay unmistakably showed the Oregon fan making contact with Alex during his kicking motion. Without hesitation, McAfee overturned McChesney’s initial call, declaring Alex’s kick good due to the egregious interference.

“You can’t have blatant interference like that and call it a miss!” McAfee exclaimed to the roaring crowd, his voice resonating with his signature blend of outrage and entertainment. “We’re all about fair play here, and that was a clear foul. Justice has been served!”

Despite the initial confusion and the dramatic overturned call, the collective effort of the Utah students paid off. Alex, Charlie, and Andrew officially secured the “Kick of the Day” trophy, a memorable victory that further energized the Utes faithful gathered for GameDay.

Video of the incident quickly went viral across social media platforms, with fans debating the “blocker” concept and praising McAfee’s on-the-spot officiating. The dramatic sequence served as a high-energy prelude to what promised to be a hard-fought battle between two of the Pac-12’s top teams, setting an unforgettable tone for a pivotal college football Saturday.