Two-Point Conversion Lifts Tigers Over Tide in Overtime
No. 10 LSU handed No. 6 Alabama its second loss of the season, as the Tigers defeated the Crimson Tide in overtime 32-31 inside of Tiger Stadium on Saturday night.
The Crimson Tide started the game hot on offense after an LSU punt, as quarterback Bryce Young fired off three straight completions, and running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and Jase McClellan carved up key runs to put the Tide at the LSU four-yard line.
Young, being pressured in the red zone, scrambled and ultimately threw an interception to LSU cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse in the end zone.
Both teams traded punts on the next couple of drives and the first quarter ended with no score.
The Tigers finally put together a scoring drive early in the second quarter. LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels connected with wide receiver John Emery for a 30-yard touchdown, putting the Tigers up 7-0. The Crimson Tide responded with a seven-play, 63-yard drive capped off by a Will Reichard 29-yard field goal.
The Tide would add another Reichard field goal at the end of the half to cut the deficit to 7-6 at the break.
Alabama opened the third quarter with a long drive that took 6:49 off the clock. The drive would end with the third Crimson Tide field goal of the night. Will Reichard's 38-yard field goal gave Alabama its first lead of the game, 9-7.
Momentum ceased quickly for the Tide as LSU mounted its own long drive. The Tigers went on an 11-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a two-yard touchdown run by running back Josh Williams. The Tigers regained the lead 14-9 with 3:30 left in the third quarter.
After trading punts, the Tide finally earned its first touchdown of the night as an LSU penalty and two big runs set the Tide at the LSU two-yard line. Roydell Williams punched it in to put the Tide back in front. A missed two-point conversion would keep the score at a one-point margin, 15-14.
The Tigers regained the lead with a field goal and the Crimson Tide looked to respond once again. Young, facing a long third down from the LSU 41-yard line, evaded pressure and found wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks for a long touchdown pass.
The Tide failed on its second two-point conversion attempt, keeping the score at 21-17 with 4:44 left in the fourth quarter.
Daniels quickly completed two long passes and an Alabama penalty put the Tigers at the Alabama 24-yard line. A couple players later, Daniels connected with Mason Taylor to put the Tigers up by three with 1:47 left in the fourth quarter.
In the next Alabama drive, Young made connections with Brooks and JoJo Earle to put Alabama at the LSU 28-yard line. Young followed that up with three incompletions, all intended for Brooks, setting up Reichard for a 46-yard field goal attempt.
Reichard nailed the field goal to tie the game with 21 seconds left in regulation.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly decided to kneel and take this game to overtime.
Alabama started with the ball and got down to the LSU six-yard line after four plays. Facing third down, a costly pass interference call gave the Tide a first down at the LSU two-yard line. It took three running plays for the Crimson Tide to finally push it in, courtesy of Williams. The Tide went up 31-24.
LSU quickly matched Alabama's score with a Daniels 25-yard touchdown run on the Tigers' very first play. Kelly decided to go for a two-point conversion to win the game.
Daniels found Taylor in the end zone and the Tigers walked away with a gritty 32-31 victory in Death Valley.
"We hurt ourselves quite a bit in the game, especially early on," said Alabama head coach Nick Saban. "Had to settle for lots of field goals. Had way too many penalties, especially penalties contributing to their ability to drive the ball toward the end of the game."
Alabama looks to rebound next week, as the Tide faces off against the No. 11 Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford, Miss. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CST on Saturday.
Game day coverage will be provided all day on Tide 100.9 and 95.3 The Bear.