A smile. It was a gesture that Alabama’s junior placekicker Adam Griffith flashed brightly in the team’s 34-0 shutout win over Louisiana-Monroe. Poland’s native son was in a rut, prior to Alabama’s meeting against Mississippi last week. He missed his last 11 field goals, dating back to last season but managed to nail a 20-yard kick against the Rebels.
Griffith’s confidence soared in front of 101,323 in attendance at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Cheers filled the air when he connected on his first field goal, a 40-yard attempt in the third quarter. He returned with 35-yard try through the uprights in the fourth quarter, giving Alabama a 27-0 advantage. Griffith displayed perfect balance and form on both field goals.
His execution on kickoffs was spot on. Griffith averaged 64.6 yards per kick, totaling four touchbacks on seven tries. He allowed Alabama’s coverage team to create plays downfield.
Saturday’s performance was important as it gives Griffith an opportunity to grow.
A loaded Southeastern Conference will provide games that may end on field goals, and Griffith’s new found confidence can put him in situations to re-write his own story at Alabama.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
