Alabama kicker Leigh Tiffin a valuable weapon

TUSCALOOSA — Leigh Tiffin leaned against a wall in the media room wearing a black Polo T-shirt, blue jeans and cowboy boots.

Out of uniform, he looks more the part of a rodeo competitor with his short hair and muscular build than a college football placekicker.

In uniform, he’s got the perfect temperament and skills for his position, and for that of an Alabama football player.

Tiffin wasn’t exactly the hero in Alabama’s 24-15 win over LSU on Saturday afternoon, but his dependability sealed the deal.

When he booted through a 40-yard field goal with 3:04 left in the game, Alabama could start making its reservations for a Georgia Dome date with Florida in the SEC Championship Game.

And by the way, Tiffin is now Alabama’s all-time points leader with 348, moving past Phillip Doyle by way of the final points of the game.

So what do you think about that, cowboy?

“What record did I get?” Tiffin asked in all honesty.

When told the record was announced over the stadium loudspeaker near game’s end, Tiffin said he didn’t hear it.

“That’s great, man,” he said. “That’s really neat. I’ve still got a couple of games left, so maybe I can add on to it.”

But he’s not going to make a big deal about it. That’s not his style, or the style of the Alabama football team.

It’s often said a team takes on the personality of its head coach.

I’d say Tiffin, like most of the Alabama players, does exactly that.

Nick Saban, while extremely proud of what his team accomplished on the field against a gritty LSU team, isn’t anywhere near ready to turn his attention to Florida.

First there’s Mississippi State, then Chattanooga, then Auburn.

Only until those games have come and gone will Saban entertain talk of the Gators.

Like coach, like kicker.

“I’ve just got to go out there and do my job,” Tiffin said. “If I don’t do my job, the records aren’t important.”

On a squad with stars the like of Mark Ingram, Julio Jones and Rolando McClain — never underestimate the importance Tiffin brings to the table.

When he lined up to kick the game-clincher Saturday, did anybody really think he would miss?

Like a poised professional — and most assuredly one day he’ll be getting an NFL payday — Tiffin made it look easy when in reality it wasn’t.

“The last one we really had to rush because we had a guy coming off the right side I had my eye on,” Tiffin said. “I didn’t get all of it.”

But Tiffin got plenty enough to drill it through the uprights and send the Alabama fans into a celebration.

“I always feel the same,” Tiffin said of lining up to kick. “I’ve got a great snapper and holder I’ve been working with for four years.”

Tiffin kicked through three field goals Saturday and has now made 23-of-26 attempts this season. For his career, Tiffin has 76 field goals, just two short of
another school record currently held by Doyle.

Tiffin, though, was just as proud of two fourth-quarter kickoffs he sent into the end zone for touchbacks — keeping dangerous LSU returner Trindon Holliday from getting a chance to make something happen.

And throughout all the anxious moments a battle like Alabama against LSU can bring, Tiffin has enough confidence in himself to enjoy the ride.

“Great game, man,” Tiffin said to reporters.

Great kicker, man.