UPDATE: Alabama kicker Conor Talty is speaking out after facing boos from home fans, just days before the crucial Rose Bowl quarterfinal against Indiana. Talty, who has been under fire for missed kicks, insists he is a “great kicker” as he prepares to bounce back from recent struggles.
After a disappointing performance against Eastern Illinois where he missed a 28-yard field goal, Talty is determined to regain his confidence. “At the time, it was tough,” Talty shared on Tuesday in Los Angeles. “You don’t want your fans to hate you. You want them to support you.” His comments come just ahead of a pivotal match on Thursday that could define his season.
Talty, who has completed 15 of 22 field goal attempts this season, faced intense scrutiny after a viral moment from a previous game against Oklahoma. CBS cameras captured him expressing frustration towards his long snapper, David Bird, after missing a critical 36-yarder just before halftime. “That was definitely a low moment for me,” Talty admitted, acknowledging his unacceptable behavior.
Since that incident, Talty has turned his performance around, making a crucial 45-yarder and another from 29 yards in the Iron Bowl. He reflects on the pressure of being a kicker at Alabama, a role often seen as cursed by fans. “I know personally, I’m a great kicker. I don’t care what a stat sheet says,” he stated confidently.
Teammates have rallied behind Talty, with Ty Simpson expressing solidarity. “I didn’t appreciate the fans booing him,” Simpson said, emphasizing that no player wants to fail. This support adds to the emotional weight Talty feels as he heads into the Rose Bowl with renewed determination.
As the game approaches, Talty is aware of the heightened expectations. His journey reflects the challenges and triumphs of being a kicker in college football, where every kick carries the weight of fan hopes and frustrations. The pressure is on, but Talty’s confidence remains intact.
With the Rose Bowl around the corner, all eyes will be on Talty to see if he can capitalize on his recent successes and silence the critics. Fans are eager to see if he can deliver under pressure and lead Alabama to victory against Indiana.
Stay tuned for live updates as the situation develops in this high-stakes matchup!
