Missed field goals played a big part in the Georgia Bulldogs' loss to Michigan State in the Outback Bowl, but another UGA student will hopefully have more success kicking at the Allstate BCS National Championship game Monday.
Jonathan Pahlas, 27, a UGA grad student studying biology and marine science, was randomly selected by Allstate to attempt a 40-yard field goal at halftime of the LSU-Alabama game. He'll have five chances within 60 seconds. If he makes one, he'll win a new RV, boat, motorcycle and $30,000 toward a home makeover.
Pahlas, a graduate of Etowah High in Woodstock, told the AJC on Thursday he's been practicing "pretty much every day except when it's raining" at Clarke Central High School in Athens, and twice a day recently.
He's gotten plenty of help from amateur coaches. "It started out with a buddy who was a soccer player in high school," Pahlas said. "Then everybody hears about it and calls friends."
One of those calls paid off big time.
Pahlas said a friend contacted former UGA kicker Kevin Butler, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, and on the two were working out Thursday at a Gwinnett County high school.
Even if he doesn't make the field goal, Pahlas has already won a dandy prize just for being selected: a 2012 Buick Regal GS, which will be built specially for him based on his custom order.
In addition to the car, Allstate is paying for his trip to New Orleans, where he'll stay at the Roosevelt Hotel and receive tickets to the game.
Does he think he'll be nervous kicking in front of 80,000 people?
"Oh yeah, no doubt about that," Pahlas said. "I'm nervous just going to kick with Kevin Butler."
On the bright side, however, he speculated that kicking in front of such a large crowd might improve his focus.
"Maybe I'll step it up and put it through the uprights," he said.
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