GAME BLOG: #9 LSU Tigers at #3 Alabama Crimson Tide

LSU News

 

6:11 p.m.

Alabama intercepts Lee's 4th down heave and, for all intents and purposes, ends this one.

LSU and Alabama engaged in a tough battle today, and, in the end, injuries during the game decimated the Tigers. However, (hopefully I don't get fined for this) the SEC referees found a way to prove their ineptitude again, by calling what certainly appeared to be an interception an incompletion.

It was an unenviable position to be in because the play was a very close one, but getting the call right in game like this is of the utmost importance. Tiger Nation will surely be roaring over this one.

The Tigers fall to 7-2 (4-2) while Alabama improve to 9-0 (6-0). Alabama has earned a birth in SEC Championship game and will face Florida.

 

6:01 p.m.

Leigh Tiffin's 40 yarder is good. With 3 minutes remaining, LSU trails by two possesions and have no timeouts. This is going to be a difficult hill to climb for the Tigers, especially considering how inept their offense has sometimes appeared in the second half.

 

5:58 p.m.

The call on the field stands and Alabama converts on 3rd down. The possible momentum shift LSU was hoping for was averted by the refs in this circumstance.

About 5 minutes left and LSU cannot stop the clock. Alabama is in field goal range.

 

5:56 p.m.

A rejuvenated Patrick Peterson may or may not have intercepted a pass, pending a review. It appears Peterson got a foot down inbounds with the ball in his hand, but the call on the field was incomplete.

If the call is overturned, it will constitute an incredible play by Peterson, who has already left the game 3 times with injuries.

 

5:54 p.m.

The Tigers had an opportunity to get the ball back with 7:25 to go, but a running into the kicker penalty on Dan Graff gave the Tide a 4th and inches. Mark Ingram took the direct snap and got the first down.

 

5:41 p.m.

LSU failed to convert on 3rd and 2, and Alabama has quickly capitalized. On the first play of the Alabama drive, Julio Jones caught a bubble screen pass and took it 73 yards down the sideline for a touchdown. Trent Richardson converted the 2-point attempt, and the Tide now lead 21-15 with 10:24 remaining. The torrent of injuries continues as Al Woods gets hurt on the two point conversion attempt.

How the tide has turned in just a few minutes at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

 

5:36 p.m.

LSU has just used their third and final timeout on a play in which both coaches were attempting to call timeout presnap. Alabama appeared to have 12 men on the field, while the play clock was running down for Lee and LSU.The timeout was incurred by LSU rather than Alabama, as the referees apperently saw Miles signal first.

Huge 3rd and 2 upcoming. Unfortunately for LSU, they are out of timeouts with 11:29 remaning in the game.

 

5:29 p.m.

On a 3rd and Goal from the LSU 2, the Crimson Tide made a crucial mistake while trying to substitue in Terrence Cody. They had 12 men in the huddle, and suffered a 5 yard penatly as a result. With 8 yards to go, the Tide attempted a pass to score, but Mark Ingram was tackled at the 2 by Patrick Peterson, who reinjured himself. Peterson's toughness can't be questioned after coming back twice following previous injuries, but this time it looks like he may not be coming back in, as he is being helped off the field with weight on only one leg. Leigh Tiffin made the chip shot field goal and cut LSU's lead to 15-13.

12:35 left in this slugfest of a game.

 

5:22 p.m.

The 3rd quarter has just come to an end, and Mark Ingram is running wild. He has 23 carries for 123 yards, 85 of which have come in the second half. At the moment, he is displacing chunks of yardage against the LSU defense, and he and the Crimson Tide have pounded their way down to the LSU 10 yard line.

If LSU intends to win this game, they must put a cap on Ingram, whose ability to grind it out can be invaluable during a close 4th quarter. LSU retains a 15-10 lead, but Alabama is threatening.

 

5:12 p.m.

TOUCHDOWN TIGERS! After an impressive performance in the 4th quarter against Tulane, Stevan Ridley continues to surpise, bouncing a run outside right tackle and taking it to the house. Ridley's 8 yard TD is his second of the year. The Tigers failed on the 2-point conversion, and have taken a 15-10 lead over the Tide with 3:19 remaining in the 3rd quarter.

Javier Arenas, the Crimson Tides' star kickoff returner/defensive back, is being helped off the field following a kickoff. This has been a tremendously physical game so far.

 

5:09 p.m.

LSU is having terrible luck with injuries today. Follwong a long run by Charles Scott into Alabama's redzone, Scott is having trouble getting off the field, favoring his shoulder/chest area.

LSU will have a first down in Alabama territory.

 

5:02 p.m.

LSU's defense comes through again. DT Drake Nevis gets to Greg McElroy in the endzone, and McElroy throws it away while still in the pocket, which results in a safety. LSU has trimmed the margin to 1, with Alabama leading 10-9.

Patrick Peterson appears to be injured again, and is not getting up as quickly this time. 5:55 left in the 3rd quarter.

 

4:57 p.m.

On a 4th and 5 from the Alabama 41, Les Miles decided to let Jarett Lee attempt to convert the first down. Although LSU appeared to convert with a completion, the play was blown dead because of a false start by Joseph Barksdale. Miles wouldn't try a 4th and long, and decided to punt. The punt was downed inside the Alabama 1, where they will start with about 7 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter. Alabama still leads 10-7.

 

4:50 p.m.

After a throwaway and a costly intentional grounding penalty, Jefferson appears to be hurt again. He took a big hit as he rocketed the ball to no one in particular.He is limping off of the field, favoring his ankle. LSU has called timeout and it looks as if Jarrett Lee will come in for Jefferson.

 

4:40 p.m.

Alabama appears to have adjusted their gameplan at the half, and the revision seems to include a heavy does of Mark Ingram. After calling passes on almost 2 out of every 3 plays in the first half, Alabama went to Ingram, who rushed for 46 yards on 4 carries on the opening drive before McElroy connected with Darius Hanks on a 21-yard touchdown pass. Alabama has taken their first lead of the game, and it's 10-7 with 11:40 remaining in the 3rd quarter. Ingram is now has 84 yards on the ground, after only totalling 38 in the first half.

 

4:30 p.m.

HALFTIME STATS:

Passing: LSU - Jordan Jefferson: 8/14, 105 yards, 1 TD

Alabama - Greg McElroy: 14/25, 155 yards, 1 INT

Rushing: LSU - Jordan Jefferson: 6 carries, 31 yards; Charles Scott: 7 carries, 26 yards

Alabama - Mark Ingram: 6 carries, 38 yards

Receiving: LSU - Deangelo Peterson: 2 receptions, 40 yards, 1 TD; Terrance Toliver: 3 receptions, 40 yards

Alabama - Marquis Maze: 6 receptions, 88 yards

Total Yards: LSU: 156 (105 passing, 51 rushing)    Alabama: 210 (155 passing, 55 rushing)

Turnovers: LSU: 0     Alabama: 1

Time of Possesion: LSU: 15:34    Alabama: 14:26

The second half is just about to get underway at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

 

4:10 p.m.

As Alabama was driving down the field in an attempt to score before halftime, John Chavis decided to dial up a blitz. The LSU D-Line has not been terribly effective in getting to McElroy so far, but the added pressure paid off, as McElroy misfired and was intercepted by Kelvin Sheppard at the LSU 7 yard line.

Jefferson kneeled down to end the half, and LSU has a 7-3 lead. Stats forthcoming...

 

4:04 p.m.

The injury bug appears to have infected LSU. Lazarius Levingston just went down after an impressive ankle tackle by LB Kelvin Sheppard on WR Marquis Maze. Levingston was on the sideline for the following play. Maze already has 6 receptions for 88 yards in the game.

Alabama just took their first timeout with :55 seconds remaining in the first half. It'll be 2nd and 6 when play resumes.

 

3:58 p.m.

Jordan Jefferson was shaken up on a play in which Alabama DL Brandon Deaderick planted his helmet in Jefferson's chest after a long incompletion downfield. Jefferson remained in the sitting position on the field for a few moments. LSU took a timeout and are going to allow Jefferson to stay in the game. 3rd and 12.

 

3:52 p.m.

After taking a play off, Peterson got back on the field and was tested early. McElroy threw downfield to Jones again, but he and Peterson got their feet tangled, resulting in an incompletion. The fans called for a pass interference call, but none was made. The Tide just failed to convert on a 3rd and 8 after yet another overthrow by McElroy. They'll punt.

 

3:49 p.m.

On a long Mark Ingram run, Patrick Peterson appears to have been injured. Losing Peterson would be a big blow to the Tiger defense, as he is probably the only DB capable of matching up man-to-man with Julio Jones (not to mention arguably the Tigers' best defenisve player). He did run off the field under his own power, however.

 

3:40 p.m.

A long kick return by Javier Arenas set Alabama up with tremendous starting field position. The Tide were able to find their way into the redzone, but Greg McElroy missed a wide-open Julio Jones in the endzone. Alabama settled for a 28-yard Leigh Tiffin field goal. LSU leads 7-3 with 5:52 left in the 2nd quarter.

 

3:33 p.m.

TOUCHDOWN TIGERS! LSU strikes first with a 12 yard TD pass from Jefferson to Deangelo Peterson. LSU took the ball 91 yards in 13 plays which took 6:11 off the clock. Unfortunately, it appears Ciron Black was injured on the play. 7-0 Tigers with around 9 minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Jefferson appears to be growing into his position pretty well, and the offensive line has been great so far in blitz pickup, keeping his jersey clean. Though they have struggled in that regard all year, they're looking very good right now.

 

3:15 p.m.

Perry Riley has momentarily left the game with an ankle injury. For now, he's been replaced by Jacob Cutrera.

In the meantime, it appears a field position battle has broken out. After another stalled Alabama drive, they have pinned LSU inside their own 10 yard line. LSU ran one play, and the first quarter is now over. We remain tied 0-0.

 

3:10 p.m.

After a 41-yard pass to Terrance Toliver that put LSU in Alabama territory, the offense stalled following, among other things, a poorly executed option pitch to Russell Shepard. Josh Jasper salvaged the drive with a 46-yard punt that was downed near the Tide's 1 yard line. 1st and 10 Tide at their own 1 with 3:10 left in the first quarter. We're still scoreless.

 

3:05 p.m.

The LSU defense appears to have come to play. On a 3rd and 2 on their 40 yard line, they prevented Heisman candidate Mark Ingram from gaining a yard on a quick pitch to the right side. LSU defenders quickly shed blocks and brought the tough runner down for no gain. Alabama punted into the LSU endzone, so the Tigers will start their third drive at their own 20. Score remains tied 0-0.

 

2:50 p.m.

Offense has been coming at a premium in Tuscaloosa. Both teams have had their initial offensive drives end in punts, with Jordan Jefferson coming up a foot short on a 3-and-5 and Alabama having trouble with a direct snap to Mark Ingram, which cost them 9 yards. One notable play on Alabama's first drive included a deep pass to Julio Jones on the sideline, which was masterfully broken up by Patrick Peterson. Peterson stayed step-for-step with Jones from the snap to the end of the play, where he knocked the pass down. With 9:26 remaining in the first quarter, the teams are knotted at 0-0.

 

2:36 p.m.

Alabama won the toss, but deferred until the second half. LSU will receive.

 

2:32 p.m.

Kickoff coming up. It's 73 degrees, clear, and sunny. Both teams have just made their entrance onto the field.

 

2:15 p.m.

UPSET ALERT: Iowa just lost its first game of the season, a 17-10 heartbreaker to Northwestern. The No. 4 Hawkeyes are the latest undefeated FBS team to go down.

 

2:12 p.m.

Two matchups to watch:

LSU C T-Bob Hebert vs. Alabama DT Terrence Cody: Hebert, a first-year starter, will face off against what is almost certainly his toughest test yet, as he faces the 6-5, 365 lb.  often referred to as "Mount Cody". Although Cody's stats are far from gaudy, his disruptive presence in the middle of the Alabama defense usually draws a double team from the opposing O-Line and allows other players to take advantage of mismathces. Hebert, and LSU's interior O-Line as a whole for that matter, will have their hands full with the mammoth lineman.

LSU CB Patrick Peterson vs. Alabama WR Julio Jones: Peterson has quickly established himself as one of the best defensive backs in the country. His top-notch coverage skills, physical ability, and sure tackling has made him an unenviable burden on every receiver he faces. This week, he'll take the responsibility of covering Jones, last year's SEC Freshman of the Year. Jones is a big, physical receiver with suprising speed who caused matchup problems for nearly everyone he faced during his outstanding freshman season. He has dealt with injury problems thus far this year, but Alabama coach Nick Saban says that he is getting healthy for the first time this year. Should be fun watching these two jostle for position downfield.

 

1:55 p.m.

Greetings, everyone! We're about a half an hour from kickoff of what could be the marquee SEC matchup of the year, as the No. 9 LSU Tigers take on the No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa. The SEC West rivals square off with a lot on the line, including a shot at Florida in the SEC Championship game and a possible BCS Championship berth. With a win, Alabama would clinch a share of the SEC West and a spot in the SEC Championship game. LSU looks to upset the undefeated Crimson Tide and get one step closer to a rematch with the No. 1 Gators.

Alabama leads the all-time series 44-23-5, but LSU has won the last 4 in Tuscaloosa. Last year's matchup in Tiger Stadium marked the return of Nick Saban to Baton Rouge since bolting to the Miami Dolphins following the 2004 season. The game lacked didn't lack drama, as Alabama eeked out a 27-21 win over the Tigers in overtime.

Alabama will depend primarily on the legs of sophmore sensation Mark Ingram, who has rushed for over 1000 yards and 8 touchdowns so far this year, and a stifling defense which has allowed a mere 11.4 points per game so far this season.

LSU will try to counter with their own brand of punishing, physical defense alongside a steadily improving offense which has had arguably its two most impressive outings in the last two weeks against Auburn and Tulane, respectively.

 

1:29 p.m. - We're a little over an hour from game time for this titanic clash, otherwise known as Saban Bowl III. The weather is ideal - no excuses for these two teams with national title aspirations.

Comments (5)

...
written by Larry, November 07, 2009

Well, I thought LSU was improved from the Florida game. Alabama may be better than I thought. Ought to be a good game with Florida.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by JasonV, November 07, 2009

Ok, ok, Refs. Enough already. You don't have to let Bama use illegal hands to the face to sack the quarterback, too. You've already won the game for Alabama.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by JasonV, November 07, 2009

Go refs go! You did it! You got Bama the game-clinching field goal! Well done!

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by JasonV, November 07, 2009

Awesome! The SEC referees got a chance to take care of their boys by robbing Peterson of the interception. Hey, Mike Slive - you and your scumbag brethren in Birmingham, Alabama are garbage thieves.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Larry, November 07, 2009

Well, there's the kickoff. This should be interesting. I have guessed Alabama one of the more overrated teams, but guess I will find out today.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Name

Comment

smaller | bigger

Add Comment