LSU looked like it had locked up one of those season-defining wins, but Alabama stormed back after flatlining for much of the second half and shocked a record Tiger Stadium crowd.
Here are three things that stood out from tonight’s contest.
Oh, that Zach Mettenberger: LSU’s junior quarterback turned in the best performance of his short LSU career, and he couldn’t have picked a better time to do it. The Tigers’ signal caller turned his game on in the second half, guiding the Tigers to 14 unanswered points. By the time the game had finished, Mettenberger had thrown for a career-high 298 yards and a touchdown, and had almost pulled off the improbable. This was the type of game the LSU faithful had been waiting for, and Mettenberger delivered.
Tide rolls when it counts: For the majority of the game, the Crimson Tide couldn’t get anything going against the Tigers’ defense. But when it mattered, A.J. McCarron and the Alabama offense looked unstoppable. On its three scoring drives, Alabama racked up 227 yards, including a 92-yarder that started from its own 8-yard line with its backs against the LSU student section. The Tide managed only 104 yards of offense on every other drive.
Hill of a freshman: Jeremy Hill continued his strong recent play. In his first career start, the freshman tallied 107 rushing yards against one of the country’s stingiest defenses. Hill’s running has proven to be a catalyst for this LSU offense this season.
One thing I don’t get: Most, if not all media prognostications before the game figured LSU coach Les Miles would throw a little bit of his patented trickery into the game. Well, he did, and it backfired. The Tigers went for a fake field goal on 4th and 12 — which was sniffed out for a two-yard loss. Later in the game, with momentum on their side, the Tigers opted for an onside kick. It would’ve resulted in LSU ball had kicker James Hairston not tapped the ball forward before it had traveled the necessary 10 yards. Alabama took over with great field position and was driving toward a touchdown before the LSU defense bailed Hairston out by recovering a T.J. Yeldon fumble.
What’s next?: The Tigers take on Mississippi State next Saturday in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) works for extra yardage Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, during the Tigers’ 21-17 loss to Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior safety Craig Loston (6) takes down Alabama running back Eddie Lacy (42) Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, during the Tigers’ 21-17 loss to the Crimson Tide in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU defensive players swarm Alabama wide receiver Christion Jones (22) Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, during the Tigers’ 21-17 loss to the Crimson Tide in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU freshman cornerback Jalen Collins (32) celebrates after the Tigers recovered a fumbled punt return Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, during the Tigers’ 21-17 loss to Alabama.
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LSU sophomore tight end Nic Jacobs (84) fights for extra yardage Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, during the Tigers’ 21-17 loss to Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) catches a touchdown pass Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, during the Tigers’ 21-17 loss to Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior wide receiver Kadron Boone (86) drops a pass Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, during the Tigers’ 21-17 loss to Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior defensive end Sam Montgomery (99) sacks Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron (10) Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, during the Tigers’ 21-17 loss to the Crimson Tide in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior defensive end Sam Montgomery (99) celebrates after sacking Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron (10) Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, during the Tigers’ 21-17 loss to the Crimson Tide in Tiger Stadium.
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Students remain unmoved in the stands Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 after the Tigers’ 21-17 loss against Alabama in Tiger Stadium. Almost thirty minutes after the game, students still sat in shock.
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Students remain unmoved in the stands Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 after the Tigers’ 21-17 loss against Alabama in Tiger Stadium. Almost thirty minutes after the game, students still sat in shock.
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LSU head coach Les Miles and Alabama head coach Nick Saban shake hands Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 after the Tigers’ 21-17 loss against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore wide receiver Terrence Magee (14) reacts to the final score Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 after the Tigers’ 21-17 loss against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior running back Spencer Ware (11) returns to the locker room Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 after the Tigers’ 21-17 loss against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior running back Michael Ford (42) and sophomore wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) react to the final score Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 after the Tigers’ 21-17 loss against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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Alabama offensive lineman D.J. Fluker and LSU junior defensive tackle Bennie Logan shake hands Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 after the Tigers’ 21-17 loss against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior defensive end Sam Montgomery (99) and sophomore punter Brad Wing (38) return to the locker room Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 after the Tigers’ 21-17 loss against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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Students remain unmoved in the stands Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 after the Tigers’ 21-17 loss against Alabama in Tiger Stadium. Almost thirty minutes after the game, students still sat in shock.
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Fans greet LSU football players Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 before the Tigers’ 21-17 loss against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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The Golden Band from Tigerland marches down Victory Hill Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 before the Tigers’ 21-17 loss against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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Members of the Painted Posse dance Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 before the Tigers’ 21-17 loss against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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Players return to the locker room Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 before the Tigers’ 21-17 loss against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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The Tigers rush the field Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 before the Tigers’ game against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU freshman running back Jeremy Hill (33) runs the ball Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 during the Tigers’ 21-17 loss against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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Alabama tight end Kelly Johnson is upturned while running the ball Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 during the Tigers’ 21-17 loss against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU freshman safety Jerqwinick Sandolph recovers a fumble on a punt Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 during the Tigers’ game against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior running back Spencer Ware (11) carries the ball Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 during the Tigers’ game against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior defensive end Barkevious Mingo (49) celebrates with junior defensive end Sam Montgomery (99) after Montgomery sacked Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 during the Tigers’ game against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore wide receiver jarvis Landry (80) lunges for the goal line Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 during the Tigers’ 21-17 loss against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU freshman running back Jeremy Hill (33) celebrates with junior fullback J.C. Copeland after scoring a touchdown Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 during the Tigers’ 21-17 loss against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry reacts after scoring LSU’s second touchdown Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 during the Tigers’ 21-17 loss against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior defensive end Barkevious Mingo (49) attempts to stop Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon on his game-winning drive Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 during the Tigers’ 21-17 loss against Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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Students remain unmoved in the stands Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 after the Tigers’ 21-17 loss against Alabama in Tiger Stadium. Almost thirty minutes after the game, students still sat in shock.
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