It was a big weekend for the Auburn football team after having taken down the No. 1 team in the country in their own house. The Tigers defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 27-24, winning in Athens for the first time since 2005 and beating Georgia for the first time since 2017.
The three-point win differential came down to a last minute field goal kicked by Alex McPherson, who at one point in his career was worried he would never play football again. With ice in his veins, McPherson nailed the 34-yard field goal to seal the victory for the Tigers.
First-year Auburn football head coach Alex Golesh was asked about McPherson's kick after the game and revealed that the fifth-year senior received the game ball after the win.
"That kid's been on so many hospital beds to get to this moment," Golesh said in his post-game press conference. "So proud of him, gave him the game ball. He's earned that opportunity. That's how he comes to work every day, that's how he approaches his teammates. He's a leader, and couldn't have happened to a better human being. But that's how he practices, that's how he prepares, that's how he lives his life. He's a special human being."
McPherson was sidelined in the 2024 season with an inflammatory bowel disease that caused him to lose over half his body weight. He worked to regain his strength during the 2025 season after having his large intestine removed, and said heading into the 2026 season he believed that he was back to full strength.
“It was something you dream about when you’re a little kid,” McPherson said after the game. “And to be able to hit that, it’s a dream come true.”
This season so far, McPherson is 6-7 in field goal attempts after missing one in the first game of the season versus Baylor. He is 9-9 on PAT attempts.
“It’s hard to put into words how much it means to me to be back and just be able to help the team out,” McPherson said, per The Athletic. “And as a person, it puts into perspective just how fast things in your life can change. So don’t take it for granted and enjoy everything.
“No matter how big or small it is.”
The Tigers return to action next weekend when they host Lane Kiffin and LSU on the Plains for an 11 a.m. kickoff from Jordan-Hare Stadium.
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