Will Reichard not focusing on NCAA record ahead of final home game

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama kicker Will Reichard needs just 22 points to become the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer. But the fifth-year senior isn’t keeping track of where he ranks.

“I don’t really know how many points I am away from it,” Reichard said Tuesday. “I think when my career’s over I’ll really care about it, but right now, not too concerned about it, honestly. I’m more focused on being able to play well this week and continue to prepare to play well and continue to practice well, continue to grow. That’s what I’m concerned about. 

“Not too concerned about that right now, to be honest.”

Reichard enters the Crimson Tide’s home finale with 509 career points, which is good for third place in the NCAA history books behind Louisana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon (522) and Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds (530), who both reached their totals from 2012-15. 

With his extra point following Alabama’s first touchdown against Arkansas on Oct. 14, Reichard became the SEC’s career points leader. He already owns the Tide record for made extra points, entering the Chattanooga game with a career mark of 278-of-280, and the Hoover, Ala., native needs just seven more field goals to pass Leigh Tiffin (83) in the UA record books.

But Reichard brushes off praise for his impressive tenure, instead crediting those around him.

“I think my teammates have had a really big impact in the success I had,” Reichard said. “Our offensive line that blocks for me has done a really good job of not letting anybody near me. Our snapper and holder have done a great job of getting the ball down for me and made my job a lot easier. Offense has put me in a really good position to make kicks. 

“They deserve a lot more credit than I do.”

Reichard, though, has been one of the most consistent players, regardless of position, to come through Alabama’s storied program. He was perfect on field goals and PATs during the Crimson Tide’s championship-winning campaign in 2020 and had a streak of 28 straight makes entering this season’s game against LSU before missing his first kick in more than a year.

Reichard said on Tuesday, he knew as soon as he hit the ball that neither kick would be good.

“Pride myself on not missing two field goals in a row, ended up happening,” Reichard said. “Didn’t flush it too well after the first one, but moved on from that. Going to continue to try to get better, and obviously, I want to make every kick that I have an opportunity to do so. But that’s just not realistic, to be able to make every single kick that you have, even though that’s what you want to try to be able to achieve. 

“But some technical aspects that just didn’t go right on those kicks, ended up pushing the ball right on both times. I left my hips open and then, gotta watch the film and continue to get better.”

Saturday’s game will be Reichard’s final time in Bryant-Denny Stadium as a current player. He went through Senior Day last year before choosing to take advantage of a year of eligibility and return to Tuscaloosa, but this will be the last home game of his record-setting career.

“I think after last week’s game was over, the rest of the weekend, these last couple days, I’ve kind of thought about it a little bit,” Reichard said. “It’s a little sad that it’s gonna be my last time at Bryant-Denny. But super thankful to have been able to play here for the last five years. 

“It’s been a huge blessing. Really thankful for Coach Saban giving me the opportunity to do so and I’m really excited to run on that field one last time.”

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