TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — When attempting to take down a No. 1 opponent, a team typically has a small window of opportunity to walk away with a victory.
No. 18 LSU’s window opened up in the first quarter of its contest with No. 1 Alabama, as its defense held the Crimson Tide to 42 yards in the Tigers’ first three drives of the game, while posting 129 of its own.
But it rapidly began to close when the Tigers (7-3, 3-3 Southeastern Conference) opened the game losing back-to-back fumbles and found themselves behind 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, despite more than tripling the Tide’s (9-0, 6-0 SEC) offensive production and controlling the clock.
LSU’s first turnover may have been its most devastating, as senior fullback J.C. Copeland fumbled the ball on the Alabama 1-yard line on what looked like an easy touchdown play to end a nine-play, 81-yard drive.
“I would certainly like to be up seven, and take the ball at that point forward and drive it,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “It could have been a different start to the game.”
The LSU defense responded by forcing a three-and-out on the Alabama drive, but that celebration was short-lived, as the offense then allowed a sack and committed a delay-of-game penalty before an errant snap gave the Crimson Tide possession on the LSU 27-yard line.
Alabama settled for a field goal, giving it a 3-0 lead. That was the last success the Tiger defense had, as the Tide found the end zone on five consecutive drives.
“In a big-time game like this against the No. 1 team in the nation — a great team — you have to eliminate those turnovers,” said LSU junior wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. “We didn’t do a good job of that, and that’s probably the reason we lost.”
The Tide ran away with the game in the second half as LSU’s offense stalled, but LSU found itself with one final chance in the fourth quarter, trailing 31-17 when Beckham returned a kickoff 82 yards to the Alabama 18-yard line.
But a 3-yard loss from LSU sophomore running back Jeremy Hill and three straight incomplete passes by LSU senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger turned the ball over on downs.
And the window shut.
Alabama drove the ball 78 yards for its final score of the game and sealed its victory.
“I thought that if we could get a quick touchdown, we might be able to get back in the game,” Beckham said. “But it wasn’t the case.”
The Tigers’ mistakes cost them a chance at upsetting a No. 1 rival and, in most cases, would have the potential to haunt those who made them.
But Mettenberger remained confident, saying these mishaps distracted from what was otherwise a close, hard-fought game.
“You could look at the score and think one thing,” Mettenberger said. “But if you watched the game, you would know that if we didn’t turn the ball over and made some smarter decisions in the third and fourth quarters, it would be a ball game.”
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LSU senior fullback J.C. Copeland (44) fumbles the ball Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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Alabama senior linebacker C.J. Mosley (32) tackles LSU junior running back Terrence Magee (14) on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU junior wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) runs toward the goal line Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU senior quarterback Zach Mettenbeger (8) crawls across the field Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU sophomore offensive guard Trai Turner walks off the field Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 after the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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Alabama head coach Nick Saban (left) shakes hand with LSU head coach Les Miles (right) on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 after the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU head coach Les Miles holds back the players Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 before the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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Alabama senior quarterback AJ McCarron (10) hands off to sophomore running back T.J. Yeldon on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 before the Crimson Tide’s 38-17 victory against the LSU Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU junior defensive tackle Anthony Johnson (90) celebrates after a stop on third down Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) catches the ball Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU junior wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) stiff arms Alabama sophomore running back Dee Hart (1) on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU junior wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) stiff arms Alabama sophomore running back Dee Hart (1) on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU junior wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) attempts to evade Alabama junior defensive back Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (6) on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU junior wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) attempts to evade Alabama junior defensive back Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (6) on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) catches the ball Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU sophomore running back Jeremy Hill (33) celebrates after scoring a touchdown Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU sophomore running back Jeremy Hill (33) celebrates after scoring a touchdown Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU junior defensive tackle Anthony Johnson (90) and junior defensive end Jermauria Rasco (59) celebrate after a tackle Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU freshman defensive back Rashard Robinson (21) breaks up a pass Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU sophomore running back Jeremy Hill (33) rushes for a first down Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU sophomore running back Jeremy Hill (33) rushes toward a first down Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU sophomore running back Jeremy Hill (33) rushes toward a first down Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU freshman wide receiver Travin Dural (83) catches a touchdown pass during the first half of the LSU-Alabama game in Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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Alabama senior quarterback AJ McCarron (10) warms up Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 before the Crimson Tide’s 38-17 victory against the LSU Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU senior safety Craig Loston (6) performs a pregame ritual Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 before the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU head coach Les Miles and Alabama head coach Nick Saban meet at midfield Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 before the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) warms up Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 before the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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Alabama head coach Nick Saban shakes Les Miles’ hand Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 after the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU senior linebacker Tahj Jones (58) commits a personal foul on Alabama senior quarterback AJ McCarron on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU junior wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) evades Alabama junior wide receiver Christion Jones (22) on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU senior linebacker Lamin Barrow (18) tackles Alabama sophomore running back Kenyan Drake (17) on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU junior Odell Beckham Jr. (3) attempts to outrun Alabama sophomore defensive back Cyrus Jones (5) on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU sophomore running back Jeremy Hill (33) rushes toward a first down Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU head coach Les Miles watches a replay Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU freshman wide receiver Travin Dural (83) catches a touchdown pass Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) attempts to evade Alabama junior defensive back Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (6) on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU junior wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) catches a pass on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU senior wide receiever Kadron Boone (86) catches a pass Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU senior wide receiever Kadron Boone (86) jumps for a catch Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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LSU sophomore Jalen Mills (28) attempts to tackle Alabama sophomore running back Kenyan Drake (17) on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 during the Tiger’s 38-17 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
