Alabama’s football team has decided to make a significant change at the kicker position following a disappointing performance by Conor Talty during their game against Eastern Illinois on September 30, 2023. After Talty missed a 28-yard field goal, he faced noticeable frustration from fans, which ultimately led Head Coach Kalen DeBoer to replace him with freshman Peter Notaro for the extra point following Alabama’s fourth touchdown.
During the game, Talty’s missed field goal marked his 11th miss out of 18 attempts this season, which included a troubling record of just 2-for-4 on field goals from 20 to 29 yards. The situation escalated when Talty was booed by the Crimson Tide supporters as he left the field after the miss. He returned for an extra point attempt later in the game but was met with further disapproval from the crowd.
Notaro, who had previously battled Talty for the starting role during preseason, successfully converted the extra point, increasing Alabama’s lead to 28-0. The freshman had already made a positive impression earlier in the season, completing all four of his extra point attempts during a blowout victory against Louisiana-Monroe. Ranked as a five-star kicking recruit by Kohl’s Kicking, Notaro is currently a preferred walk-on for Alabama.
The decision to switch kickers comes on the heels of Talty’s previous struggles. Just a week before the Eastern Illinois game, he missed a critical 36-yard kick against Oklahoma in a match that ended in a narrow loss for Alabama. Following that miss, he was seen arguing with long-snapper David Bird, which raised concerns about team dynamics.
DeBoer addressed the situation, acknowledging the competitive nature of the players: “We’re all competitive, and those guys are competitive. They want to make that kick and have the execution be at a high level.” He emphasized the importance of teamwork and communication, stating that any tensions were quickly resolved in the locker room.
As the Crimson Tide prepares for their next challenges, the focus will be on how Notaro performs under pressure and whether the change in kickers will rejuvenate the team’s scoring efficiency. The implications of this decision will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike as Alabama aims for success in the remainder of the season.