The LSU football team finds itself facing a 17-14 deficit heading into the locker room after giving up two early fumbles that allowed Alabama find its rhythm.
The first of these fumbles came in LSU’s opening drive, in which it drove 79-yards to the Crimson Tide’s three-yard line before senior fullback J.C. Copeland had the ball stripped from him on the one-yard line before he was able to barrel his way into the end zone.
After forcing a three-and-out on Alabama’s ensuing drive, the Tigers coughed it up once again, allowing the Tide to get on the board first with a field goal.
LSU responded by opening the second quarter with 57-yard touchdown drive, but the Tide came back with a pair of touchdowns of its own to give it a 17-7 lead.
The Tigers were able to stop the bleeding shortly before halftime, as LSU senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger found freshman receiver Travin Dural to cut Alabama’s lead to three points.
Mettenberger finished the half completing 10 of 13 pass attempts for 173 yards and a touchdown, his most popular receiver being junior Jarvis Landry, who caught three for 75 yards.
After a slow start, Alabama senior quarterback AJ McCarron found his stride, finishing the half throwing 9-for-13 for 129 yards and two touchdowns.