A New Jersey college student is the lucky lottery player who won $1 million in a Mega Millions drawing last week.

Kristopher Chrysanthopoulos, of Oceanport, found out he held the second-prize ticket for the May 28 drawing while on his way to lunch with his father, New Jersey Lottery officials said Tuesday.

Chrysanthopoulos, a 2017 Shore Regional High School graduate, told lottery officials his dad invited him out to eat to discuss what the 20-year-old would do for a summer job - a conversation the Rider University student wasn’t exactly looking forward to having.

While in the car Thursday, the younger Chrysanthopoulos decided it would be be a good time to check the tickets he bought at a Lukoil gas station in Tinton Falls. He quickly discovered one of the tickets matched five numbers. It only missed the Mega Ball - which would have meant winning the massive $414 million jackpot.

The two decided to postpone their meal and instead went to the nearest lottery retailer to validate the tickets. The following day Chrysanthopoulos went to lottery headquarters in Lawrenceville - just down the road from Rider - to claim his winnings.

Chrysanthopoulos told lottery officials he usually prefers scratch-off tickets, but made an exception because the big jackpot caught his eye. He added that he plans to take his family on vacation and save the rest of the money.

The college student didn’t mention if he’ll still try to get a job this summer.

The Mega Millions jackpot hasn’t been hit since March. This evening’s jackpot is $475 million, the 17th biggest prize in U.S. lottery history. Mega Millions is played in 44 states, Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman.

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