To hear Daily Reveille sports writers recap the LSU vs. Alabama game, click here.
Editor’s note: This article contains language that may be offensive to some.Alabama coach Nick Saban weathered a bombardment of insults Saturday in Tiger Stadium — culminating in a mass student section chant of “Fuck You Saban.”But Saban reveled in the ultimate satisfaction  — triumphantly jogging off his former home field with a fist pumped in the direction of the Alabama faithful. It was the field Saban called his own before he left LSU for the Miami Dolphins and then Southeastern Conference foe Alabama. “You name it, and I heard it,” Saban said of the insults after the Tide’s 27-21 overtime win against LSU.The largest crowd in Tiger Stadium history, a paid attendance of 93,039, came for the year’s most hyped battle against No. 1 Alabama. It turned out to be just what it was billed: a relentless trading of jabs that kept the record crowd in its seats until the end.And it looked for a few fleeting moments as if LSU fans would get the revenge they so desperately sought.Junior defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois did his part with a vehement block of Leigh Tiffin’s 29-yard game-winning field goal attempt.Death Valley rocked with anticipation: another chance to dethrone Saban and the nation’s premier program.The clean slate of overtime had erased the Tigers’ crucial errors in regulation. Redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrett Lee’s three interceptions, linebacker Kelvin Sheppard’s untimely face mask penalty and Colt David’s missed field goal were all distant memories.But the clean slate was tarnished before LSU’s overtime hopes could ever really take flight. Lee threw an interception to defensive back Rashad Johnson, who was waiting in the end zone with open arms. “Just from watching films, I’ve seen some of his pick sixes,” said Johnson, who picked three of Lee’s passes in the game. “I knew there was a possibility we could come in here and rattle him because he is a redshirt freshman.”Rattle him, they did. Saban said turnovers exponentially increase in importance once overtime begins. The last pick, he said, was “huge.”And this time, the Tide charged through the door LSU had once again opened.Quarterback John Parker Wilson’s 1-yard touchdown run clinched the win in front of LSU’s student section.The stunned faces looked on and spewed Saban insults in ferocious fashion. It was the same section the former beloved coach often visited to shower praise after close games.But Saban said the ill will did not change his mood toward the venue.”I know there may be some people that have a negative attitude, but I can say I really appreciate those people that spoke to me and welcomed me back here today,” Saban said. One of those well wishers was likely sixth-year defensive end Kirston Pittman, who once played for Saban when he wore purple and gold.”One of the greatest feelings that I have, for the LSU players still playing that I recruited, is to see those guys do well,” Saban said. “I would like to help them do well. One of the things I won’t do is abandon players I have relationships with, no matter what team they’re playing for.”And as the disheartened Tiger fans headed to the exits Saturday evening, many were left with a final startling sight after a heart-thumping night in Tiger Stadium.It wasn’t the image of Lee’s pass sailing into the hands of a crimson-wearing defender. It wasn’t the picture of John Parker Wilson taunting the student section.Rather, the final sight they witnessed was their once-heralded leader donned in crimson and trotting toward the visitors’ locker room. Holding a No. 1 finger in the air, boasting a 10-0 record and keeping national championship hopes alive, Saban’s stoic expression broke into a smile. “I am happy for our team and those guys in the locker room who have gone through blood, sweat and tears,” Saban said. “I am happy for the University of Alabama.”—-Contact Amy Brittain at [email protected]