Brianna Paciorka
LSU junior wide receiver Kadron Boone (86) pumps up the student section Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, during the Tigers' 21-17 loss to Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
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.