Auburn football has made a change at kicker ahead of Saturday’s contest against Louisiana-Monroe, announcing walk-on Ian Vachon as the team’s new starting placekicker. Vachon will replace true freshman Towns McGough, who had been starting in place of last year’s regular kicker, Alex McPherson, during his absence.
Vachon’s Path to Starting Kicker
Vachon, a native of Huntsville, Alabama, has an interesting football journey. He spent two seasons at Birmingham-Southern College before the school closed. In 2023, Vachon made the most of his opportunities, connecting on 1-of-2 field goal attempts and 2-of-4 PATs, while also averaging 56.9 yards per kickoff over 14 attempts, including four touchbacks.
Before his college career, Vachon earned recognition as a standout kicker at Madison Academy in Huntsville, where he was awarded Special Teams Player of the Year honors. He was also named to the All-Region and All-North Alabama teams during his senior season, marking him as one of the top kickers in the area.
McGough’s Struggles Lead to Vachon’s Debut
McGough, who had been filling in as the Tigers’ primary kicker this season, struggled to find consistency. The freshman finished 5-of-12 on field goal attempts in 2024, including missing his last three attempts. His inconsistency opened the door for Vachon to step into a starting role, and head coach Hugh Freeze and the Auburn coaching staff will be hoping the walk-on can provide more stability in the kicking game moving forward.
What to Expect on Saturday
Vachon’s debut will come against a Louisiana-Monroe team in a matchup set for 11:45 a.m. ET on Saturday, with the game scheduled to air on the SEC Network. The Tigers will be hoping Vachon can solidify the kicking game as they prepare for the final stretch of the regular season.
With McGough’s struggles behind them and a walk-on now in the spotlight, Auburn’s kicking situation will be one of the key storylines as the team looks to finish the season strong. Vachon’s performance against ULM could go a long way in determining whether he retains the starting role for the remainder of the year.
A New Opportunity
For Vachon, this is a big opportunity to make a name for himself in the SEC after bouncing back from the closure of Birmingham-Southern College. Auburn fans will be watching closely to see if the former Madison Academy star can provide the consistency and reliability the Tigers need in the kicking game. With the pressure mounting on the freshman kicker, Vachon’s calm demeanor and previous experience will be key as he steps into the spotlight for Auburn’s final regular season games.
