Texas student wins $1.2M on College GameDay… before excruciatingly awkward moment with Matthew McConaughey

Only a few weeks into his college career, one University of Texas freshman is already millions of dollars richer.

During Saturday’s episode of College GameDay in Austin, freshman Connor Kaceu-Merrell was called up to take part in the program’s kicking challenge.

Kaceu-Merrell, a native of Zionsville, Indiana, was chosen by former Colts punter Pat McAfee for the ‘Kicking is Easy’ challenge. The rules are simple: drill a 33-yard field goal, win the prize money.

Just before Kaceu-Merrell kicked for $1million, he revealed to McAfee, the audience, and UT alum and Hollywood A-Lister Matthew McConaughey that he’d donate half the prize to a charity back in his native Hoosier State.

He stepped up and drilled the kick with plenty of leg – impressing McAfee, McConaughey and Kirk Herbstreit – but just missed it to the right of the uprights.

Kaceu-Merrell was given a second chance with an increased prize pool of $1.2million – $600k for himself, $600k going to charity.

This time, despite being barefoot, the Indiana native perfectly struck the kick and sent the crowd into a frenzy. 

There were joyful cheers from his fellow Longhorns as McConaughey went in for a high-five that Kaceu-Merrell just missed seeing.

Instead, McConaughey went in for a hug and congratulated him for his kick ‘right down the pipe.’ 

McAfee also got a hug and a congratulations off to the kid who will donate half his prize money to Building Tomorrow – a non-profit that helps provide educational opportunities to children in East Africa.

Fans praised Kaceu-Merrell for his selflessness, but also marveled at his leg strength and accuracy.

One fan joked, ‘This kid is gonna be getting some calls for tryouts after that kick.’