A University of Pennsylvania graduate has caused a major upset on “Jeopardy!”, staging a dramatic comeback to dethrone a three-time champion in a nail-biting finish that has everyone talking.
- Shocking Comeback: 2025 Penn graduate Shaan Mishra won “Jeopardy!” after trailing significantly for most of the game.
- Zero-Dollar Gamble: Mishra strategically wagered nothing in “Final Jeopardy!”, securing his victory when the defending champion answered incorrectly.
- A Penn Showdown: The episode featured two Penn alumni competing, with Mishra facing off against 2007 Penn Carey Law graduate and three-time winner, Tom Devlin.
- Data-Driven Prep: Mishra used his computer science background to analyze past “Jeopardy!” clues and develop a winning strategy during a 45-day intensive preparation period.
An Unlikely Victory
Shaan Mishra, who recently graduated with a degree in economics and computer science, experienced a rollercoaster of emotions during the Oct. 24 episode. In an interview with The Daily Pennsylvanian, he described the “shock and awe” of his win after a difficult start.
“I was really struggling early on to get control of the buzzer,” Mishra admitted. “I think there was a moment in that game, especially early on, where I kind of resigned myself to the reality that it might not be successful, but I was able to keep my wits about me and play my game, and it worked out in the end.”
His fortunes turned during the “Double Jeopardy!” and “Daily Double” rounds, allowing him to close the gap on his opponents, three-time champion Tom Devlin and fellow contestant Kristina Pohribnij.
The Final Jeopardy Gamble
The game’s climax came down to a bold and calculated risk. Trailing the champion, Mishra made a stunning decision going into the final round.
“Going into ‘Final Jeopardy’ … I decided to wager nothing and … pray that [Devlin] got the question wrong, which, fortunately enough for me, he did,” Mishra explained. “It was a very crazy moment to win.”
This zero-dollar wager proved to be a stroke of genius, as Devlin’s incorrect answer cost him the game, handing the championship to a stunned Mishra.
From a “Whim” to a Winning Strategy
Mishra’s journey to the “Jeopardy!” stage began on a “whim,” fueled by an interest in trivia he developed on a Quizzo team during his time at Penn. After receiving the call in July, he postponed the start of his consulting job to dedicate himself to a rigorous 45-day preparation schedule.
He leveraged his academic background in a unique way. Using his computer science skills, Mishra analyzed archives of past clues to identify frequently discussed topics and fine-tune his wagering strategy. He emphasized, however, that the most crucial element was simply “being a lifelong learner,” as the show provides no preparation materials and draws from the entire “wealth of human knowledge.”
Despite the intense competition, Mishra formed strong bonds with his fellow contestants, describing Devlin as a “very brilliant man” and Pohribnij as “incredibly nice.”
Mishra now joins a growing list of Penn affiliates to find success on the iconic game show and is set to defend his title in his next appearance on Oct. 27.
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