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Alabama

Nick Saban highlights importance of kickers like Will Reichard: 'They're assassins'

by: Austin Brezina10/13/22AustinBrezina59
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Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

While speaking in his weekly press conference, Nick Saban was asked if he spoke with Alabama kicker Will Reichard to help his confidence. The Crimson Tide kicker drilled a 50-yard attempt in the first half last week against Texas A&M, but missed two field goals in the second half that nearly cost Alabama their perfect record this season.

Nick Saban on Will Reichard

“You know, Will’s been kicking for a long time. We’ve got a lot of confidence in him,” said Saban. “Nobody can make every kick, but I just don’t want him to press. I don’t want him to feel like there’s any anxiety or pressure for him to do something. He obviously made the game-winning kick at Texas. He’s been a very consistent guy for us and we have a lot of confidence in him. I don’t usually feel like there’s any reason to go, sort of — when I talk to the guys it’s usually to tell them they did a good job.

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“And if they don’t hit a good one, punt a good one, kick a good one — it’s hey, forget about it. Focus on the next one. Because those guys aren’t like players, they don’t play 70 plays in a game. They’re like assassins. They got one shot, they gotta make it count. And that’s the mindset they have to have. So that focus and be prepared to do it the next time is probably the most important thing.”

Although not uncommon to hear coaches praise their kicking and special teams units as one of the most important factors in winning games, Saban’s comments show that he has incredible faith in Reichard to get the job done for Alabama. Reichard’s past success — a career 79.7 percent kicker — certainly allows for trust in his ability even when the senior falters.

Reichard could definitely use the extra confidence from his coach as his importance this week will be as huge as it has ever been, with the Crimson Tide take on another undefeated SEC school in Tennessee with potential College Football Playoff implications.