On Saturday night in the Auburn Tigers' loss to Missouri, place kicker Alex McPherson made only one of his four field goal attempts throughout the game. He missed a kick from beyond the 30-yard line, one beyond the 40-yard line, and one beyond the 50-yard line that he arguably should never have had to attempt.
It was not the best showing from McPherson, who is an outstanding kicker, but spent most of the 2024 season sidelined while battling gastrointestinal issues that ultimately resulted in having his colon removed. He has been working this season to build his strength back up and has been sharing kicking responsibilities primarily with Southern Miss transfer Connor Gibbs.
Head Coach Hugh Freeze sent an encouraging message on McPherson's progress last week, sharing that the kicker made multiple field goal attempts from beyond the 50-yard line in practice. After his misses against Missouri, nothing has changed as far as Freeze and the team supporting McPherson.
"I believe in Alex McPherson," Freeze said, per Auburn Undercover. "He believes in himself. That's the first time he's missed any kicks inside the 40-yard line in his career, and he missed two, and that's just so uncharacteristic of him. He kicked beautifully all week long. He's mentally strong. He's been through a lot and certainly feels the weight of the loss for everybody. Feeling like, 'Man, if I could just make one of those, maybe the game is different'. Nobody in here doubts him or has any less belief that he's going to make the next one."
Every player has an off night now and again, and for McPherson, it's incredible that he is healthy enough to be on the field attempting these kicks. Hopefully, he can continue to improve, and both he and Auburn football will see the benefits.