SPORTS SHOWTIME REPORTER
TUSCALOOSA, Al. — Three LSU players fell victim to the injury bug against Alabama, but the team collectively licked its wounds as the Tigers fell to the Crimson Tide 24 to 15.
With its second Southeastern Conference loss of the season, the Tigers yielded the SEC West Champion title to undefeated Alabama.
Running back Charles Scott and quarterback Jordan Jefferson both went down in the 3rd quarter with injuries and did not return.
“Scott is probably the most serious,” Coach Les Miles said about the team’s injuries.
Miles did not disclose the extent of Scott’s injury.
Scott racked up 84 rushing yards, including a 34-yard breakout play that put him out of the game.
Jefferson left the game with an injured right ankle, but tallied 114 passing yards and a touchdown before his exit.
Cornerback Patrick Peterson went in-and-out of the game with leg cramps, but faced a controversial call halfway through the 4th quarter with an interception that was ruled out-of-bounds.
“My view on the sidelines was that it was an interception,” Miles said.
The interception would have given the Tigers, who were trailing by only a touchdown, the ball near midfield with a few minutes left in the game.
As Alabama’s offense stayed on the field after the call, kicker Leigh Tiffin nailed a 40-yard field goal later in the drive to ice the game at 24 to 15.
The idea of a LSU victory looked promising going through the 4th quarter as the Tigers lead 15 to 13.
When it seemed the Tide subsided, a wave named Julio Jones crashed on a “Peterson-less” LSU defense with a 73-yard touchdown reception to put Alabama ahead 19 to 15.
Jones had only 2 receptions for 19 yards before the breakout TD.
On the next play, Alabama running back Trent Richardson converted a two-point conversion to put the Crimson Tide up 21 to 15.
Next up for the Tigers will be a showdown with in-state foe Louisiana Tech in Tiger Stadium on November 14 for the school’s 100th Homecoming celebration.
