TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The LSU Tigers put an end to Alabama’s playoff hopes with their win over the Tide on Saturday night.
The Crimson Tide traveled to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to take on the Tigers in one of the greatest rivalries in the history of college football. As if that wasn’t enough hype for the game, both teams were also ranked in the top ten, Alabama being ranked sixth and LSU at the number 10 spot. Saturday night was the 30th time both teams were ranked in a matchup against each other, the most ranked matchups between two programs in SEC history.
The season has been full of ups and downs for the Tigers, but some may argue they still have a chance at a spot in the college football playoff. And what better way to start a playoff run than beating the Alabama Crimson Tide?
The Tide opened the game forcing a stop on defense and the offense began their first possession by effortlessly driving all the way down to the LSU four yard line. Then, on second and goal from the four, Bryce Young threw an interception, just his fourth of the year, and it was complete and utter chaos from there.
Somehow, with all the offensive struggles of the first half, Alabama went into halftime down by just a point, trailing 7-6.
Unfortunately for the Tide, the defense just couldn’t contain Jayden Daniels and the Tigers in the second half. Daniels finished with 182 yards passing, 95 yards rushing and three total touchdowns on the night.
Bryce Young once again had late game heroics after looking out of sorts all throughout the first three quarters. Young evaded pressure and launched a 41 yard touchdown pass to a wide open Ja’Corey Brooks to give the Tide a late 21-17 lead after a failed two-point conversion.
However, Jayden Daniels responded. Daniels led the Tigers on a seven play, 75 yard touchdown drive, finding his freshman tight end, Mason Taylor, in the back corner of the end zone to put the Tigers back on top 24-21. Sadly, for Crimson Tide fans, that would not be the last time Daniels found Tayor in the endzone.
Tide kicker, Will Reichard, squeaked in a clutch 46 yard field goal to tie the game at 24, sending it to overtime.
A controversial pass interference call kept the Tide’s drive alive in overtime, allowing running back, Roydell Williams, to power his way in for his second touchdown of the game.
The Tigers responded on the first play of their overtime drive by way of a 25 yard rushing touchdown from Daniels. Brian Kelly told his team he wanted the game to end right then and there and decided to keep the offense on the field for the two point conversion. Daniels rolled right and found his target, Mason Taylor, for the successful two point conversion attempt, giving LSU the 32-31 win over Alabama.
The Crimson Tide suffer yet another heartbreaking loss on the season, falling into third place in the SEC West, with a season record of 7-2.
Alabama will try to salvage what’s left of the season starting next Saturday, when they travel to Oxford, Mississippi, to take on the eleventh ranked Ole Miss Rebels.
