Top Five LSU Games of the Season: No. 1 vs. Alabama

There was a lot of implications on the line in this annual clash between LSU and Alabama. The winner would be in the driver’s seat of the SEC West and would punch their ticket to the SEC Championship against Georgia. Both teams were coming off their bye week and this matchup would go-down as one of the greatest finishes in the history between the two schools.

LSU would end up getting the ball first to kickoff the top-ten matchup under the lights in Death Valley. The Tiger offense would move the ball into Alabama territory, but a holding penalty set them back even further. LSU would end up punting it away and would come away with nothing on their first drive of the night.

Alabama would waste no time in driving down the field on their first drive as they moved near LSU’s goal-line. Bryce Young made a massive mistake as his pass was intercepted by Jarrick Bernard-Converse and the Tigers were able to get a huge turnover to keep the Crimson Tide from taking the lead.

Both offenses continued to struggle as they were forced to punt on each of their next three offensive possessions. The Tigers were finally able to break through on a four-play, 49-yard drive to draw first blood. John Emery caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Daniels to give LSU a 7-0 lead with 9:46 left in the second quarter.

Alabama would answer LSU’s score with a field goal as the Crimson Tide were able to get on the scoreboard. Will Reichard would nail a 29-yard field goal to cut into the Tiger lead to four. The Tiger offense wasn’t able to muster any points the rest of the first half, but Alabama was able to add on another field goal.

There was some controversy that came before that field goal attempt as LSU originally forced a fumble that would keep the Crimson Tide from cutting into their lead. The officials put the play under further review and they would overturn that call that would end up leading to Reichard making a 36-yard field goal with time expiring. LSU would hold on to a 7-6 lead going into the locker room.

Brian Kelly Makes the Call of the Year for the Tigers:

Alabama was able to take their first lead of the game on their first drive coming out of the locker room. Reichard continued to be effective as he nailed a 38-yard field goal to give the Crimson Tide a 9-7 lead with 8:11 remaining in the third quarter.

LSU would immediately be able to answer and retake their lead on an 11-play, 75-yard drive. Josh Williams would run it in for a two-yard touchdown as the Tigers would lead 14-9 with 3:30 left in the third quarter. Both offenses would be forced to punt on their next offensive possessions as the game would now shift into the final quarter.

Alabama would be able to begin the fourth quarter by driving deep into LSU territory. Roydell Williams’ two-yard touchdown run would give back the lead for the Crimson Tide, 15-14, with 12:37 remaining. The back-and-forth battle between the two teams continued as LSU would waste no time reclaiming their lead as Damian Ramos nailed a 32-yard field goal to give the Tigers a 17-15 lead with 6:52 to go.

The Crimson Tide quickly answered as Young was able to break away from the LSU defenders and find Ja’Corey Brooks wide open for a 41-yard touchdown score to give Alabama the lead late in the fourth quarter. Nick Saban would decide to go for the two-point conversion, but the Crimson Tide were unable to convert.

The touchdown drive would give LSU’s offense 4:44 to work with to be able to keep their SEC West title hopes alive. The Tigers were able to convert clutch plays during the drive, including a Daniels run for 31 yards that would put LSU into Alabama territory. Daniels didn’t stop there as he threw a go-ahead seven-yard touchdown pass to Mason Taylor. LSU would reclaim a 24-21 lead with 1:47 left in the fourth quarter.

The game wouldn’t be over as the Crimson Tide was able to send this game into overtime as Reichard’s 46-yard kick was good. The Tigers would end up kneeling the clock out and it would take extra time to decide the winner.

Alabama’s offense would be first on the field and they were able to cash in on Williams’ second touchdown run of the night from the one-yard line. The Crimson Tide would hold a 31-24 lead and LSU was in need of a touchdown to extend the game. It didn’t take the Tigers long to answer as Daniels found the endzone on a 25-yard touchdown run that would put the score at 31-30.

There was a decision to be made for Brian Kelly about whether they should go for the two-point conversion or kick the extra point to go to the second overtime. LSU decided to call a timeout to think it over one more time and Kelly brought the offense back on the field. Daniels would find Taylor in the endzone as the Tigers would win in thrilling fashion, 32-31 against the Crimson Tide.

The Tiger faithful in attendance would rush the field as LSU would go on to claim the SEC Western division crown. Kelly’s call to go for the win would be one of the greatest play calls of the season and it will be a moment LSU fans will remember.