Alabama fans typically don’t share many glowing memories of game-winning kick situations, but Will Reichard has broken that tradition of late-game woes.
Reichard drilled a 33-yard field goal with 10-seconds remaining to put the Crimson Tide up 20-19 over Texas which they would eventually hold onto for the win.
It was the first time since 2005 that Alabama made a game-winning kick, but despite the long gap in history, Reichard was eager for the chance to put his team ahead.
“Really, I just wanted an opportunity,” Reichard said. “I just wanted our offense to be able to go down and put me in position. These guys fought the whole game and I just wanted to do my part and help our team.”
Reichard was able to get in position thanks to a nine-play 61-yard drive led by quarterback Bryce young which also included a 20-yard scramble into Longhorns territory. From there on Young knew Reichard would come through for the team.
“When they were trotting out with the field goal team, I had all the confidence in the world,” Young said. “I knew he was going to make it.”
Throughout his four-year career at Alabama has been among the most impressive in the kicking position. The Hoover native posts a career 82% field goal percentage, and also has a perfect season to his name which came during the 2020 season where Reichard went 14/14 on field goals and 84/84 on extra points.
“He’s been a consistent performer for several years now,” head coach Nick Saban said. “I’ve never been around a guy who had a perfect season. He actually had a perfect season as a kicker, never missed an extra point and never missed a field goal. Had a game-winner today. I don’t know if that’s his first but I know I had total confidence in him.”
Reichard is now 4/4 on field goal attempts and 9/9 on extra points through the first two games of the 2022 season.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
