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‘GameDay’ Kick Just Part of Student’s Alabama Experience

By Jennifer Brady

A student cheering in front of Denny Chimes

Oct. 4 wasn’t a typical Saturday for University of Alabama student Gabby Mathis. The chemical engineering major was picked to kick a field goal during ESPN’s “College GameDay” broadcast when UA hosted Vanderbilt. Mathis’s attempt was like many — the kick didn’t quite make it. But hosts Pat McAfee and Kirk Herbstreit did their part to make it memorable. And while she’ll never forget that day, it’s just one of many things about UA that are special to Mathis.

In 1837, The University of Alabama became one of the first five universities in the nation to offer engineering classes. Today, UA’s College of Engineering has more than 5,200 students and more than 170 faculty. In recent years, students in the College have been named USA Today All-USA College Academic Team members, Goldwater, Hollings, Portz, Boren, Mitchell and Truman scholars.


Author: Jennifer Brady    /    Posted on: October 9, 2025    /    Posted in:   Chemical and Biological Engineering, Events, Students, UA News