Auburn’s 27-24 upset of No. 1 Georgia ended with the kind of finish that sticks with a program for a long time, and it was Alex McPherson who delivered it. The fifth-year senior drilled a 34-yard field goal at the last minute to send the Tigers home with a win in Athens, their first there since 2005 and their first victory over Georgia since 2017.
Afterward, first-year Auburn head coach Alex Golesh made it clear who would be taking the game ball.
"That kid's been on so many hospital beds to get to this moment," Golesh said in his post-game press conference. "So proud of him, gave him the game ball.
He's earned that opportunity. That's how he comes to work every day, that's how he approaches his teammates.
He's a leader, and couldn't have happened to a better human being. But that's how he practices, that's how he prepares, that's how he lives his life.
He's a special human being."
McPherson’s path back has been anything but ordinary. He was sidelined during the 2024 season because of an inflammatory bowel disease that caused him to lose more than half his body weight.
He later had his large intestine removed and spent the 2025 season working to rebuild his strength. Heading into the 2026 season, he said he believed he was back at full strength.
“It was something you dream about when you’re a little kid,” McPherson said after the game. “And to be able to hit that, it’s a dream come true.”
Through six kicks this season, McPherson is 6-7 on field goal attempts after missing one in the opener against Baylor, and he has made all nine of his PAT tries.
“It’s hard to put into words how much it means to me to be back and just be able to help the team out,” McPherson said, per The Athletic. “And as a person, it puts into perspective just how fast things in your life can change. So don’t take it for granted and enjoy everything.
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By Monday afternoon, there still was no update on Atkins status, leaving Auburn to carry the win while also waiting on one of its most important defenders. For a team that just took a major step forward, the lingering question is whether it can keep building on that momentum without knowing when one of its top playmakers will be back in the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Is Already Answering Auburn's Biggest Rivalry Win
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Mays currently plays at Northeast Mississippi Community College and brings the kind of profile that can shift an early recruiting board fast. For Auburn, it is another reminder that one big moment in the rivalry does not end the bigger chess match, especially when Georgia is already making its move for one of the cycles most sought-after defensive linemen. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn Just Got Snubbed After One Of The SECs Best Wins
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From Auburns perspective, the omission feels especially hard to justify when other two-loss league teams remain in the mix. The win in Athens should have carried real poll value, and it leaves the Tigers in the uncomfortable spot of having one of the weeks most impressive results without the ranking that would normally follow it. [Read more 🡒]