SALT LAKE CITY — A 21-year-old University of Utah senior is $125,000 richer after kicking a 33-yard field goal for Pat McAfee’s Kicking Contest during ESPN’s “College GameDay” Saturday.

The challenge is part of the “College GameDay” experience that has taken over many college campuses in anticipation of big games, like the one Saturday night against the Cincinnati Bearcats. The challenge itself was started by former NFL punter Pat McAfee to prove that scoring a field goal is much harder than it looks. Upward of $1 million is put on the line, much of it going to charity, and another portion going to the kickers themselves.

Jonah Knubel was among the hundreds of people who camped overnight, hoping that his ticket would be drawn. As chance would have it, his ticket was not drawn. But, as circumstance would have it, he would be the one to perform the challenge.

“My ticket was not called for the contest, but the guy who won the raffle looked over and said, ‘I’m not kicking this. I’m way too nervous. I don’t know how to kick,” Knuble recalled. “I said, ‘Hello! I’ll kick it for you, because I have experience kicking.’”

Knubel’s experience came from playing on the Jordan High School football team as a kicker his senior year, where he earned All-Region honors.

After speaking with the powers that be, it was agreed that Knubel would attempt the 33-yard kick, but the $1 million prize money would be split between him and the ticket holder. Added to the wager was a prediction by McAfee himself, who said that if Knubel made it, Utah would be the sure winner of tonight’s game.

“It kind of felt like a fever dream,” Knubel said. “Getting to high-five everyone, being on TV and getting to meet everyone was honestly so amazing. And when the kick finally came and I missed the first attempt, I was absolutely crushed because I knew I could make it pretty easily.”

In a clutch move, a timeout was called, and Knubel was awarded another kick. This time, the prize money was $500,000, where he would split $250,000 with the ticket holder and the other $250,000 going to a local charity.

His high school kicking experience kicked in, and he scored big. Not only that, but Knubel became the second to win the challenge this year out of 10 challenges, and one of seven who have won since it began in 2023.

After a lot of thought (and a nap), Knubel, a finance major, told KSL.com that he plans on “wisely” spending his winnings.

Salt Lake City, Utah — October 31, 2025

On October 30, KolobX convened nearly 300 industry leaders, innovators, and educators in downtown Salt Lake City for Powering Futures — Advanced Manufacturing & Next-Gen Leadership, an event focused on empowering the next generation of builders, engineers, and manufacturers.

The event brought together key stakeholders across Utah’s manufacturing and aerospace ecosystem — including small businesses, large corporations, educators, and students — to explore workforce development, technology adoption, and collaborative innovation.

Leaders from Northstar Photonics, 47G, and Utah Manufacturers Association explored the opportunities and challenges shaping this next-generation workforce.

A Small State with Big Potential

Utah’s small size is both an advantage and a challenge. Caroline Chapdelaine, CEO of Northstar Photonics, noted that “we can reach out to just about anyone in the state very easily — get the help we need, find the suppliers we need, or recruit people for our workforce. That gets me excited as a business owner, but it also scares me because there’s not a huge workforce to tap into when I expand.”

Chapdelaine highlighted Utah’s tight-knit business culture and growing ecosystem: “We have such a wonderful culture here. As we bring outsiders in, we can show them the Utah way and integrate them into what is a very nice, tight-knit family.” She emphasized the role of local universities, such as Utah State University and the University of Utah, in supporting workforce development through specialized labs and hands-on collaboration.

Johnny Ferry, President and CEO of Utah Manufacturers Association, added perspective on scale: “Many think of manufacturing as just a building with smoke stacks, but that’s only the primary manufacturer. In Utah, there are over 5,000 registered primary manufacturing businesses. But the broader ecosystem — including supply chain, R&D, distribution, warehousing, quality, and regulatory compliance — encompasses more than 85,000 registered businesses. That’s where Utah’s GDP and economic impact really come from.”

Modern Jobs in a High-Tech Landscape

The manufacturing workforce has been transformed by technology. Kori Ann Edwards, Chief Strategy Officer of 47G, said that “AI, robotics, and automation have created entirely new roles. Instead of performing manual tasks, people are now managing machines, analyzing data, and solving complex problems. This attracts a new kind of talent, elevates wages, and makes manufacturing much more engaging than it was before.”

Ferry illustrated this with a concrete example: “A chocolate company from San Francisco needed a new technology to produce single-serve packets. By partnering with the state and securing a grant, we brought the technology to Utah and trained local staff. The machines now produce 250–300 packets per minute. Not only did we land the business, but the ripple effects benefit employees and consumers alike.”

Chapdelaine added, “If students and young professionals can see the impact of their work — that they make a difference — they’re more likely to want to enter the field.”

Connecting Students to Industry

Programs that expose students to the industry are central to workforce development. Edwards described several statewide initiatives: “Talent Ready Utah bridges industry with the Utah System of Higher Education. It ensures companies are connected to the skills students are learning. We also have Pathways programs for internships in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing, and K–12 computer science initiatives to get kids excited early.”

Events like next week’s 47G’s Zero Gravity Summit bring these initiatives to life. Edwards explained, “We’re inviting 1,000 students — 700 college students and 700 high school students — to participate. Every university can send 75 students at no cost. The goal is exposure and inspiration, showing students that manufacturing is high-tech, creative, and impactful.”

Ferry highlighted inclusivity: “We recently participated in a program for students on the autism spectrum interested in manufacturing. Many roles are repetitive and structured — ideal for a range of skills. Grants are available to support manufacturers who want to participate, giving these students meaningful pathways into the workforce.”

Chapdelaine also stressed creativity as a critical skill: “Creative people thrive in this industry. They like to see something go from nothing to something. Exposure and hands-on experience are key to attracting the next generation.”

Bridging Gaps in Collaboration

Despite its strengths, Utah’s ecosystem faces challenges connecting small businesses with large corporations. Chapdelaine observed, “As small business owners, we know how to stick together and support each other. The state does a great job with programs, and 47G has built a strong ecosystem. But bridging the gap between small businesses and companies like Boeing or Northrop is hard. They live in DC and often forget that their supply chain depends on us.”

Edwards emphasized participation: “There are many programs and opportunities, but if you’re not involved, that’s the gap. Join advisory boards at tech colleges, engage with associations like UAMMI or 47G, and make sure your voice is heard. Institutions can adapt quickly to meet industry needs, but only if businesses participate.”

Ferry also highlighted opportunity in the broader ecosystem: “The scale of Utah manufacturing is immense. You can work anywhere in the ecosystem — supply chain, R&D, operations, distribution — and you’re part of manufacturing. But the more businesses collaborate, the stronger the ecosystem becomes.”

State Support and Forward Momentum

State programs have been central to Utah’s manufacturing resurgence. Edwards and Ferry cited initiatives such as the Modern Manufacturing Nation grants, R&D tax credits, and Talent Ready Utah, which provide both financial incentives and structured pipelines to prepare the workforce.

Edwards concluded, “The state is being very intentional. With these programs, students get exposure, businesses get skilled employees, and the ecosystem grows stronger every year.”

Utah’s manufacturing sector is at a crossroads of technology, talent, and collaboration. Chapdelaine said it best: “If anyone can solve the challenge of connecting small businesses to big corporations consistently, it would be transformative for Utah’s manufacturing ecosystem.”

In response to Chapdelaine’s insight, KolobX is actively pursuing frameworks to bridge this critical gap, linking innovation to scale.

Founded by Jakob Noble in 2025 and headquartered in Lehi, Utah, KolobX is a Global Strategic Intelligence & Integration Firm. It curates tactical engagements and implements actionable solutions that advance integrated operations across industries and regions. The organization also forms working groups focused on energy & grid innovation, municipal deployment strategy, infrastructure policy & permitting, and youth & workforce engagement. Katherine Gottfredson is a key collaborator and advisor.

The organization also pilots strategic partnerships with municipalities, tech companies, and global development leaders, creating opportunities for participants to move beyond panels and shape real-world outcomes.

More information about Zero Gravity Summit:

47G | Utah Aerospace & Defense is set to host the 2025 Zero Gravity Summit, large gatherings focused on the future of national security, defense innovation, aerospace, energy resilience and advanced air mobility systems. The two-day summit will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4 – Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. It will convene leaders at the Salt Palace in downtown Salt Lake City from the Department of Defense, major aerospace companies, startup founders, investors, energy innovators and policymakers to discuss emerging technologies that are transforming how the U.S. leads on the global stage.

Register at zerogravitysummit.com 

Salt Palace Convention Center | 100 S.W. Temple St., Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Speakers will include:

• Spencer Cox, State of Utah Governor
• Jen Easterly, former Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
• Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Governor of South Carolina
• Dmytro Kushneruk, Consul General of Ukraine
• Peyton Manning, NFL Hall of Famer and entrepreneur
• Aaron Starks, 47G President and CEO
• Brad Wilson, CEO of Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Read about TechBuzz‘ coverage of last year’s inaugural 2024 Zero Gravity Summit.

ST. GEORGE, Utah — President Donald Trump’s order, sent out on social media about restarting nuclear weapons testing, has reignited memories and fears among southern Utah residents who were exposed to radioactive fallout from past nuclear tests in Nevada.

These residents, known as downwinders, lived through decades of health consequences after being exposed to radiation from above-ground nuclear weapons tests at what was then called the Nevada Test Site, now the Nevada National Security Site.

“I was just … wow when I listened to it,” said Claudia Peterson, a St. George downwinder, of the president’s announcement. “I thought we had learned that it caused a lot of damage and heartache and hurt.”

Peterson has endured her own health problems and watched family members and friends die from radiation-related illnesses. The death of her 6-year-old child to cancer remains particularly devastating.

“What my family went through was enough. It is enough. I don’t want to watch. I don’t wanna hold one more child while they die. I don’t want to watch one more friend die,” Peterson said.

Despite repeatedly sharing her story and even testifying before Congress, Peterson said she was surprised by how little some lawmakers knew about the Nevada Test Site’s history.

“I was surprised when I was back in Washington, DC, the young congressmen and senators that didn’t know what happened and weren’t educated about the Nevada Test Site,” Peterson said. “And to think that we haven’t learned anything from our past mistakes to start over again is just ludicrous.”

Peterson and other radiation victims recently celebrated the return of the government’s Radiation Exposure Compensation Act after it had lapsed for a year.

However, the president and government officials now say a return to nuclear testing may be necessary.

According to the Project 2025 report from the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank, the Nevada site is the only one in the U.S. still capable of performing nuclear tests.

The foundation has advocated for the resumption of nuclear testing because it says the nation’s nuclear arsenal has to be ready to deter potential adversaries.

The last of the 928 nuclear tests conducted at the Nevada site was in September 1992. Like all tests after a 1963 treaty, it was detonated deep underground, rather than sending out fallout.

Officials say underground testing doesn’t release radiation into the atmosphere beyond the Nevada site, which is the size of Rhode Island. But at least 10 of the above-ground tests before that sent fallout directly onto southern Utah.

Fred Esplin grew up in Cedar City and is a retired broadcaster and former University of Utah professor. He said, unlike the radio warnings and public announcements in St. George, there was less notice in Iron County.

“Residents got a little brochure at the door saying not to worry just if the dust gets on your car, sweep it off,” Esplin said.

The impact on his community was devastating.

“My high school class of 1965 in Cedar City, there were over 25 students that had died of cancer. And that’s true of those a little younger and a little older. Lost two cousins way too soon to cancer,” Esplin said.

The 78-year-old is dealing with his own cancer that he said won’t “kill him anytime soon” and is treatable.

He disagrees with the government’s assertion that new testing is necessary, even if conducted underground.

“I question the necessity of resuming the test. If they do proceed, heaven help us,” Esplin said.

If there are any increases in radiation coming downwind from Nevada, a radiation detector just outside Desert Hills High School will be how officials to monitor radiation levels.

Continuous radiation monitoring began in St. George after testing ended at the Nevada site. The U.S. Public Health Service determined back then that no airborne radiation escaped beyond the test site from the underground tests.

But Peterson said she’s not reassured.

“They told us that before they lied to us before they told us we were safe and they’ll lie to us again,” Peterson said.