Auburn's Kicker Faces Criticism and Support After Tough Game

The Auburn Tigers have had a challenging start to their 2025 SEC season, losing their first four games against ranked teams. Their latest defeat came against Missouri in a hard-fought double overtime game, ending with a score of 23-17.

A Tough Day for Kicker Alex McPherson

Junior kicker Alex McPherson faced a difficult day on the field. He missed three field goals, making only one out of four attempts. The misses were from 40, 38, and 50 yards, with the 50-yard miss occurring in the first overtime, a pivotal moment in the game.

Criticism from Dave Portnoy

Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, posted a video criticizing McPherson. He expressed frustration over the kicker pointing his hands to the sky after missing a kick, stating:

"This bothers me. You shouldn’t be allowed to pretend you hit a FG when you missed you 19th chip shot of the game."

Fans Rally Behind McPherson

Fans quickly came to McPherson's defense, highlighting the challenges he has overcome. In 2024, McPherson was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, which required surgery to remove his colon and caused him to miss almost the entire last season.

One fan wrote:

"He’s thanking God, as he spent most of the last year in the hospital fighting for his life."

Another fan added:

"This bothers me. You shouldn’t be making comments like this unless you know his full story."

McPherson's Inspiring Journey

McPherson's journey has been marked by resilience. At one point, he weighed only 110 pounds while battling his illness. Despite this, he has been a reliable kicker, with a perfect record on extra point attempts and 26 out of 31 field goals made in his four-year career. The misses against Missouri were his first of the season.

Fans continued to support him, stating:

"It’s a miracle he’s alive much less kicking in a college game."

Another fan wrote:

"Respectfully, do literally any research on what the kid has been through, and you might have a different tune."

A Beacon of Strength and Courage

McPherson's strength and courage have inspired many. He was one of the best kickers in the country two years ago and continues to prove himself on the field, getting stronger every day.