He earned the opportunity to start at punter over the weekend against Tennessee, but Alabama fans had ideas of hoping the Crimson Tide would not have to use him.
After four consecutive touchdown drives in the first quarter, senior walk-on Mike Bernier emerged onto the field to start the second period as the Tide’s offense went three-and-out.
The focus for him was dedicating this game to his mother and proving that the program has always had a specialist behind JK Scott. Bernier’s first attempt traveled 41 yards, forcing Volunteers’ wide receiver Marquez Callaway to make a fair catch. It was not a 60 or 70-yard boomer through the solar system; however, Tide fans were not trying to see one.
All it wanted was a consistent boot of at least 40 yards and Bernier provided it.
His second try did the same thing. The 6-foot-2, 219-pound got enough hang time his second kick, nailing it 41 yards to create another fair catch from Callaway. Aside from a couple of coverage busts, Alabama’s defense handled Tennessee and Bernier was part of the reason.
“Mike did a good job in the few opportunities that he had,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said following the 58-21 win over the Vols. “You like to see guys that really are willing to stick with the process of doing the things they need to do to be success and make the choices and decision they need to make to continue to improve and compete… And not just give up when they don’t get immediate self-gratification, and he has certainly done that. I was happy to see him do well.”
Bernier and the Tide will rest next week, before starting game prep for LSU.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
