Here are some words which Alabama fans never thought they would hear again.
The field goal kicking has been excellent.
Despite having limited attempts on the year, sophomore kicker Will Reichard has provided some long-needed security at that position for the Crimson Tide. Currently sitting at a perfect 6 of 6 on field-goal attempts and 31 of 31 on the season, the team may have begun to wake up from the long historied nightmare.
Nick Saban showed his gratitude for having Reichard back this season fully healthy after he missed most of 2019 with a hip flexor injury.
“I tell ya, it means a tremendous amount,” Saban said during his postgame press conference. “It takes a lot of pressure off of you in a lot of situations where you feel very confident that you can kick a field goal from, let’s say, 35 yards and in. And that’s very comforting, aight, because a lot of times you get in situations and there’s nothing more demoralizing for a team when you have an opportunity to kick a field goal, you’re already upset because you didn’t score a touchdown or didn’t continue and then you miss it and it’s really a little bit of a psychological letdown.
“So, to have a good kicker is really, really a positive. I think it’s a weapon, and I think Will has done a really, really good job so far.”
One area of the kicking game Alabama continues to search for an answer for is on kickoff. The team has been trying to search for someone consistent to punch the ball into the back of the endzone which has not happened this season.
Alabama has tried a number of players on the roster at that spot except Reichard who may fill that hole as well.
Last season Reichard participated on kickoff a good amount before his injury and Alabama has been cautious with sending him back out there. But now being more than a year removed with his hip fully healed, Saban said that Reichard may be able to help in that department.
“We need to do a better job when it comes to the kickoff,” Saban said. “We tried a couple guys on kickoff. One of the things that Will was great at before his injury was he could kick it deep pretty consistently. So we’re trying to work at part of it out with him and continue to make improvements there.
“But I’d rather have a good field goal kicker and work on coverage than have it the other way around.”
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
