College GameDay brought its signature mix of football, entertainment and charitable challenges to Boise ahead of the matchup between No. 24 Boise State and Oregon State. During the show, Pat McAfee invited Wake Forest head coach Jake Dickert to try a crossbar challenge, offering a donation to charity if the coach could hit the target.
The Demon Deacons were in Dallas, Texas, to face the SMU Mustangs. Before the game, McAfee gave Dickert the opportunity to win $100,000 for a charity of his choice. The challenge was straightforward: take a shot at the goalposts and hit the crossbar.
Dickert’s first attempt did not reach the target. Rather than end the challenge there, McAfee gave the coach another chance after Kirk Herbstreit called for one more try. McAfee agreed, increasing the potential donation from $100,000 to $150,000.
Dickert stepped up again, visibly energized by the opportunity. His second attempt traveled through the uprights but fell short of the crossbar. Although he missed both tries, McAfee said the food bank would still receive a donation.
“We will still donate, pal, going into the holiday,” McAfee told Dickert. He also thanked the coach and wished him luck for the rest of the season.
The exchange turned a failed on-field challenge into a charitable moment. McAfee had offered a larger amount for Dickert’s second attempt, but the coach did not hit the crossbar. McAfee nevertheless made clear that the food bank would not be left without support. The broadcast did not specify the final donation amount in that moment.
## McAfee’s Other College GameDay Charity Challenges
The Dickert challenge was one of several charitable moments involving McAfee this season. He has spent more than $16 million through his challenges so far, with coaches and former players getting opportunities to earn donations for causes they choose.
Before Dickert’s attempt, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning hit the crossbar on his third try, earning a $500,000 donation from McAfee. Lanning then added $50,000 of his own to the charity he selected.
University of Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel also took part in a challenge. He needed just one attempt from 25 yards to secure a $100,000 donation to charity from McAfee.
The Boise State edition of College GameDay also featured a memorable entrance from McAfee. As the show prepared for the Broncos’ game against Oregon State, McAfee rode onto the Boise State campus on horseback. His arrival drew attention from fans at the event and viewers watching the broadcast.
Host Rece Davis had told viewers that McAfee was dealing with travel trouble. McAfee soon spoke up, reassuring Davis that he had made it to the show.
“Rece Davis, can you hear me? I got you,” McAfee said. “Don’t you worry about an airplane. Don’t you worry about an automobile.”
McAfee later shared that he had never ridden a horse before. He thanked the horse, named Rodeo, for not throwing him off and admitted that he had told people he knew how to ride so he could take part in the entrance.
## Leighton Vander Esch Wins a Million-Dollar Opportunity
McAfee’s charitable activities in Idaho extended beyond the crossbar challenge. He also brought out Boise State legend Leighton Vander Esch, the former Broncos star who was selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Vander Esch represented his alma mater in a kicking challenge that offered the chance to win $1 million for charity. His first attempt fell short, but McAfee gave him another opportunity.
On the second try, Vander Esch made the kick. The successful attempt left McAfee facing a $1 million charity donation.
Together, the challenges made the Boise State broadcast a showcase for both football and charitable giving. Dickert did not hit the crossbar, but McAfee still promised support for the food bank. Meanwhile, Lanning, Heupel and Vander Esch each contributed to a series of high-profile moments that connected College GameDay’s on-campus spectacle with donations to charity.
