Would you be surprised to know that this game essentially ended with a fumble?
It was a fitting finale to what was an utter embarrassment for the LSU Tigers as they fell at home to the Alabama Crimson Tide 31-13.
LSU (6-3, 3-3 SEC) couldn’t capitalize on opportunities as the Tigers’ offense ran 45 plays inside Alabama territory (minus the field goals and one FG miss), but only had seven points to show for it in a night where they outgained the Tide 457-285.
“Really disappointing end to the game with
all of the things that we did wrong, especially offensively,” LSU head coach Lane Kiffin said following the 18-point home loss. “We take the lead with 3 minutes left in the third quarter and then we played a really bad 18 minutes of football after that.”
The Tigers held the Tide to a field goal on the opening drive, followed by a 14-play, 70-yard drive that stalled and forced a LSU field goal to tie the game. Alabama would get a touchdown later in the second quarter when Ryan Coleman-Williams took a well-designed end around for a one-yard touchdown to put the Tide up 10-3, and that would be the score going into the locker room.
LSU came out for the second half, got the ball, and kicked another field goal to make it 10-6 early in the third, finally found the end zone 9 minutes later to take the lead, and then never scored again despite having the ball for over eight minutes of the fourth quarter.
“Just super proud of the guys,” Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said after the win. “Team win all around. Defense came up with some big stops. They (LSU) were 0-4 on fourth down and got us some good field position and the offense took advantage of that.”
On the night, Sam Leavitt finished 35-47 for 380 yards, but had no touchdowns and one interception. The redshirt junior was also sacked four times in the contest. Jackson Harris was the leading receiver with 166 yards on 11 catches.
For the Tide, Keelon Russell did everything he needed to, going 17-for-24 for 206 yards and three touchdowns. While those numbers don’t jump off the stat sheet, what does is his QB Rating of 184.2.
LSU is now likely removed from College Football Playoff consideration, while the Tide is looking like a real threat heading into the final weeks of the season.
The Bayou Bengals will return to Death Valley to host Texas next Saturday. Kickoff time will either be at 2:30 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.
