Saturday evening saw an unbelievable number of upsets in college football. Maybe that’s NIL’s greatest impact. Some people will still argue about why pay athletes when they are getting free college anyhow. Or they will say how college football has changed to a sport that has lost all luster. All good points. But if I told you one of the upsets was orchestrated by a kicker that weighed roughly 110 pounds just a few years ago…would that change your views?

Oct 17, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Auburn kicker Alex McPherson (38) celebrates with teammates following a game-winning field goal during the fourth quarter against Georgia at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect 

Alex McPherson is the kicker for Auburn. His big brother, Evan, kicks for the Cincinnati Bengals. Last night, Alex kicked a 34 yard field goal as time passed allowing the Auburn Tigers to defeat #1 Georgia in Athens of all places. This is the second time in two weeks a #1 has gone down to defeat when Oklahoma defeated Texas. But this one almost didn’t happen.

McPherson clan, mom, Logan, Evan (Bengals kicker), Alex, and dad. (From Birminghamchristian.com)

McPherson’s health

In 2023 McPherson was a finalist for the Lou Groza Award for college’s best kicker. He was perfect for the 2023 season for Auburn, 13 for 13 in field goals and 40-40 in PATs. After the bowl game, he started to have blood in his stool. Throughout the 2024 spring practices and into summer training, his condition deteriorated. “I had a third colonoscopy at UAB on July 18, 2024, and I weighed 114 pounds,” said Alex in an interview with Birmingham Christian Family’s Rick Karle.

 

Alex only played in one game in 2024. Head coach Hugh Freeze asked Alex if he was good, and the young man from Alabama said “Yes.” But he wasn’t. By December his weight dropped to 110 pounds and Alex and his now wife, Hannah, decided to undergo a difficult surgery to remove his entire large intestine.

 

Surgery and uncertainty

 

“Every infusion and treatment they were trying was failing, and it seemed hopeless at times that he would ever get better,” said Hannah. But their relationship, built from their first meeting in 7th grade to now, centered on their faith in God, helped them through the uncertainty. Even when they went on their honeymoon post surgery in 2025, he began to lose weight again. But a change in medicines seemed to help his condition. He will live with this his entire life.

 

“We were devastated [at that time],” said Hannah. “We thought the hard days were behind us. We surrendered full control of Alex’s sickness to God- when we handed it to God, we saw faith and hope grow in ways we hadn’t seen through the entire process.” 

 

McPherson returns

 

Back with the Tigers in 2025 McPherson nailed 20 of 23 field goals for Auburn. He returned to the coach and team that stood by his side during all the turmoil in his life. All weren’t roses in 2025. He had one game where he missed three attempts and Auburn lost to Missouri. His next week? Six for six, a school record, and Auburn had their kicker back! 

 

McPherson’s game winner

 

Fast forward to 2026 and last night. Auburn hires Alex Golesh as the new head coach. McPherson has said all season that he’s back to his playing weight and feels stronger than ever. But Auburn is stuck in 7th place in the SEC.

 

Auburn was a three touchdown underdog before the kickoff. Late in the fourth quarter, Gunner Stockton, Georgia’s QB, hits London Humphreys with a touchdown pass to tie the game. Auburn had just scored 24 unanswered points prior to the fourth quarter, taking the lead that would end with the four yard TD toss.

 

An Auburn three and out saw Georgia with an opportunity to win the game. But with 1:18 left and Georgia driving, Stockton runs into his center and fumbles. The ball was scooped up by Auburn safety Sylvester Smith-Reed. And from there, a few quick plays gave McPherson the chance to win it for Auburn. 

 

“It’s hard to believe…Two years ago, I was here, I was sick, and I wasn’t playing. You tell me, two years from now, on the same night, you’re gonna hit the game-winner, I wouldn’t believe you. Just so blessed and grateful.” (McPherson on his game winner.)

 

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So college football with all its maddening frustrations off the field still has incredible stories like Alex and Hannah McPherson’s. And truthfully how can you not root for this young man? Faith, family and friends. Isn’t that why we gather on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings?

 

McPherson was asked about his health experience before the 2026 season began. Here was his response: 

 

“I’ve always said if I had to go through everything I had to go through to inspire one person or be an encouragement or an inspiration for somebody, then it was all worth it.    

 

War Eagle!