Of the many issues that held Auburn back in its double-overtime loss to Missouri last week, going 1-for-4 on field goal attempts came as a surprise to many.

Auburn kicker Alex McPherson came into the game 20-for-20 in his career on kicks within 40 yards, and he missed attempts for 38 and 40 yards against Missouri.

Those misses were a big surprise to Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze, who maintained his confidence in McPherson during Monday’s news conference.

“I believe in Alex McPherson. He believes in himself,” Freeze said. “This is the first time he’s missed any kicks inside the 40-yard line in his career. He missed two, and that’s just so uncharacteristic of him. He kicked beautifully all week long.”

McPherson has been limited since last season due to a lingering gastrointestinal illness, leading to some questions when Freeze sent him out for a 50-yard field goal in overtime. McPherson missed the kick badly, and Freeze admitted after the game that he “should’ve gone with Connor [Gibbs]” on that kick.

Despite the misses against Missouri, though, it doesn’t sound like Freeze is planning to make any changes at kicker going forward.

“He’s mentally strong. He’s been through a lot. Certainly feels the weight of the loss for everybody,” Freeze said. “Feeling like, ‘Man, if I just make one of those, maybe the game’s different.’ But nobody in here doubts him or has any less belief that he’s gonna make the next one.”

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