Auburn football notebook: Alex McPherson makes history

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Austin Perryman/Auburn Tigers

Alex McPherson

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Attending Auburn's kicking camp in June 2017 while in middle school, Alex McPherson won the individual competition, met the program's career scoring leader, Daniel Carlson, and felt a pull to the Plains.  

"That was when I realized I wanted to come to Auburn, after that kicking camp," said McPherson, a semifinalist for the 2023 Lou Groza Award. "We toured the stadium and the facilities and I just loved it. Ever since then I've really wanted to come here. That's where it jump-started."

In Auburn's 48-10 victory Saturday at Arkansas, McPherson kicked a 39-yard field goal to tie Carlson's program record of 16 consecutive field goals, then broke it 71 seconds later with a 31-yarder as the first half concluded.

"It's unbelievable to think about being up there with him, and the great kicker he is," said McPherson, a redshirt freshman from Fort Payne, Alabama. "Passing him, it's an honor, honestly."
McPherson added six extra points Saturday and is 35-for-35 on the season and 44-for-44 in his career.
 


 



HAT TRICK
Junior jack linebacker Jalen McLeod also joined elite company Saturday, becoming the first Auburn Tiger to record three sacks in a game since Derick Hall's hat trick in the 2021 Iron Bowl.

"As an edge rusher, it's hard to come by one, but when you get three, it's good," McLeod said. "It comes from preparation. We're having fun. We know it starts in the trenches."

McLeod led Auburn with nine tackles, four tackles for loss and a forced fumble in addition to his trio of sacks.

"He had no pocket to stand in," said McLeod of Auburn's defensive pressure against Arkansas quarterback K.J. Jefferson. "When he can't throw the ball and can't see the wide receivers, that's exactly what you want. When the quarterback can't step up, it makes it easier for us."
 



ELIGI-BOWL
With its third consecutive SEC win, Auburn became eligible to play in a postseason bowl game, a significant building block in head coach Hugh Freeze's first season on the Plains.

"I think it's huge," Freeze said. "For our seniors to get to go out experiencing a bowl and representing Auburn, and for the extra practices for our young kids. It's an important step in us rebuilding."
 


 


 



Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer