May 31, 2024. The day Birmingham-Southern College closed its doors forever.

With the school and entire athletic program ceasing operations, kicker Ian Vachon was ready to walk away from school and football entirely.

Six months later, Vachon got his first start inside Jordan-Hare stadium draining two field goals helping lead Auburn football to a 48-14 victory over Louisiana-Monroe.

“When you commit and sign somewhere you don’t expect for it to close down. So, it was a hard pill to swallow when it happened,” Vachon said.

“I’m actually glad it happened because I’m here now.”

So, how did a walk-on get to the Plains after almost giving up football?

Simply answering a phone call.

“So, I was working in the summer. I actually was not going to go to school and just work,” Vachon said. “I got a call in July and came down here and started kicking. I ended up on the team.”

“It’s always a blessing to have the orange & blue on Saturdays. Playing in front of the best fans in the SEC it was good to kick some balls and get my first experience of it all.”

Special teams Analyst Paxton Montgomery called Vachon to try out for the Tigers. While attending Madison Academy in Huntsville, Vachon was awarded special teams player of the year, while being named to the all-region and all-North Alabama area teams.

His high school coach Bob Godsey also played a vital role in connecting him with Montgomery.

“Coach Godsey helped get me here and he referred me to Auburn. I’m a mustang forever,” Vachon said. “It’s been a transition from Division III to SEC ball. I mean it’s crazy I get a chance to kick out here for Auburn.”

Entering the season, Vachon was last on depth chart behind Alex McPherson and true freshman Towns McGough.

McPherson has dealt with the gastrointestinal illness since the start of the Tigers 2024 campaign sidelining him majority of the season. McGough was 5-of-12 on field goal attempts while starting for the Tigers this year.

McGough missed his last three attempts making room for Vachon to get his first start Saturday. However, he was not the first to find out he was playing.

“I found out on Thursday afternoon, but my parents knew on Tuesday morning,” Vachon said. “They knew but kept it a secret so coach [Tanner Burns] could tell me.”

“He gave them a call on Tuesday night to make sure they were coming to the game. They said that it was difficult for them to keep that secret from me, but we spoke about it Thursday. They were happy and static.”

As McGough handled the opening kickoff duties, Vachon’s first field goal came in the first half from 22-yards out. Despite, the subtle nerves in the beginning he felt comfortable out on the field draining another one from 26-yards.

Vachon was also perfect on all his extra point attempts.

“Anytime you get a chance to kick in the SEC it’s special. I’m just happy I’m here and able to get it done,” Vachon said. “The guys up front make things easy for me in a lot of places so it’s nice.”

He added the impact the other kickers on the roster had on his preparation for his first start.

“The preparation has really been back and forth with Alex in-and-out of the lineup. It was really about always staying prepared and staying ready,” Vachon said. “We are all competitors, and we enjoy going out there and competing.”

“All those guys are extremely talented. Just an unfortunate situation with Alex and Towns is going to get it done no matter what. So, it’s just an unbelievable room I get to sit in every week. I think honestly, we have the best room in the country, and I love it.”

Now with just two games left in the Tigers season, Vachon believes he can be the spark Auburn’s special team needs to close out the year.

Auburn hosts Texas A&M in a primetime showdown as the Tigers chase for bowl eligibility continues. Whether Vachon gets the start again next week, today’s game will be something he and his family cherishes forever.

“It was nice,” Vachon said. “It’s definitely a relief and I’m just glad I got to finally do it.”