Winning halftime field goal at Apple Cup nets $1,000 for Second Harvest

There was one extra player on the field at this year’s Apple Cup between Washington and Washington State who wasn’t listed on either teams’ rosters.

Although the Cougs could have probably used the extra help.

During halftime of Washington’s 45-17 stomping of WSU Friday at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Spokane’s Shawn Lepisi, a former Eagle at Eastern Washington, stepped onto the field to attempt a 25-yard field goal for some extra cash.

He made it. Easily.

“I was so relieved,” said Lepisi, who admitted that he had only practiced a few times this week at Hart Field with his 4-year-old son setting the ball for his practice shots.

But some previous football experience – and a little bit of luck – helped him get the football between the field goal posts.

The grand prize for his winning shot? A whopping $1,000.

But that money won’t go into Lepisi’s pocket. It goes straight to Second Harvest, a nonprofit organization that distributes food to those in need in 26 counties in Eastern Washington and Idaho.

The challenge was part of a “Good Hands” college football kick program by Allstate, which benefits nonprofit organizations. The insurance company agreed to donate $1,000, which in turn will provide about 5,000 meals for Second Harvest to distribute.

“It was nerve-racking … there was a lot of pressure going into it,” said Lepisi, who works for Second Harvest in Spokane as the nonprofit’s food resource developer. “I was very excited to come through for Second Harvest though, and just being able to provide that many more meals was very exciting.”

Thanks to Lepisi’s on-target shot, Allstate will also pad WSU’s scholarship fund with $1,000.

Besides the halftime excitement, there wasn’t much more Lepisi and the rest of the Coug fans in Martin Stadium could get excited about Friday afternoon.

“The game was definitely ugly. The Cougars had their shot and unfortunately they couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities,” Lapisi said.

But he tried to be a good sport about the loss.

“It’s a good thing for UW,” he said. “Hopefully they’ll represent the Pac-12 in the playoffs.”