Stop blaming the Alabama kicker for missing that final field goal

A deeper look at arguably the most important moment in the Iron Bowl.

Much has been made of the Auburn Tigers’ trick formation in the Iron Bowl on Saturday. The Tigers outsmarted Alabama and Nick Saban, and converted a fourth-and-4 by drawing a 12-men on the field penalty. That led to an Auburn win (and endless frustration from Saban).

While that was the most controversial play, there was a moment earlier in the game that was more impactful. Alabama kicker Joseph Bulovas missed an attempt from the 11-yard line with one minute and 53 seconds left that would have tied the game. And the error, as is often the case with missed kicks, doesn’t appear to be entirely his fault.

The holder, quarterback Mac Jones, appeared to botch the hold in a way that would force the kick to curve left … and then Bulovas’ kick clanged off the left upright. Jones, who has taken over the holding duties with starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa out, didn’t quite lean the ball properly.

Former Indianapolis Colts punter and current NFL analyst Pat McAfee broke down what he saw on Twitter.

It’s easy to dump on a kicker for missing a kick. But even in a moment that seems like an individual effort, it’s important to remember football is a team sport. This failed attempt is a product of multiple errors.

There was a torrent of hatred directed at Bulovas in the wake of the missed kicked, which is reprehensible, of course, because if you’re blasting a college athlete on Twitter you’re just a bad person. But it was also wrong in a technical sense, because the kicker is at the mercy of the holder, who’s at the mercy of the long-snapper.

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