First Half:
It’s been the slugfest so many predicted through one half at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.
LSU and Alabama are tied at 3 after 30 minutes as Drew Alleman hit a 20-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
While the scoreboard shows an even match, Alabama has dominated the action on offense, but has been unable to capitalize in LSU territory.
The Crimson Tide moved the ball inside the LSU 30-yard line four times, but only came away with 3 points in the half thanks to two misses and a Tiger block.
Alabama junior running back Trent Richardson has found more space as a receiver than between the tackles, taking two catches wide open in the flat and scampering for 61 receiving yards. He had 53 rushing yards to go along with the two key receptions.
Alabama has piled up 181 yards in the first half, but the Tiger defense has stiffened in its own territory, allowing just one first down inside the LSU 30.
The Tigers nearly took the lead before halftime, but settled for Alleman’s tying boot after Jordan Jefferson misfired on four passes inside the Alabama ten with under a minute to play in the half.
The crowd inside Bryant-Denny Stadium has been electric from the get-go as raucous cheers greeted the players an hour before the game and LSU has seen a multitude of boos. It has felt like a national championship game throughout.
But as the teams hit the second half, the play has been about as even and all-out physical of a game as expected. LSU gets the ball to open the second half and coach Les Miles faces a quarterback dilemma as starter Jarrett Lee struggled in the first half and Jefferson led LSU’s best drive of the game.
The second half could be a classic. Stay tuned.
 
Second Half:
No. 1 LSU continued its march toward a potential conference and BCS championship with a thrilling 9-6 overtime victory at No. 2 Alabama Saturday night.
With over 101,000 raucous fans only bolstering the game’s title feel, LSU’s Drew Alleman booted the game-winning 25-yard field goal in the first overtime after Alabama faltered, failing to score on its only overtime possession.
The Tigers coaxed a win out of a game that included two Jarrett Lee interceptions, six Alabama trips inside the LSU 30-yard line and only 239 yards of total offense.
“We made the plays we had to, at the times our players knew were necessary,” said a clearly-relieved LSU coach Les Miles.
And those plays were in plenty, as Alabama often threatened to break the game open. But an opportunistic LSU defense stymied the Crimson Tide offense when necessary, as two missed field goals, a blocked attempt and two Tiger turnovers continually kept LSU in the slugfest.
“It was a war out there,” said LSU senior offensive lineman Will Blackwell. “It felt like running into a wall in the trenches.”
Alabama often controlled the stats and momentum, outgaining LSU by 80 yards in regulation and allowing just one Tiger scoring drive in the first 60 minutes — with LSU’s other field goal the result of a Morris Claiborne interception.
After both teams traded a series of tense, fruitless drives in the fourth quarter, the game moved to overtime and an exhausted Tiger defense stepped up.
Alabama received the ball first in the extra period, but two incompletions and an LSU sack led to another Crimson Tide missed field goal, this time from 52 yards.
LSU, led by Michael Ford’s 15-yard overtime scamper on a second-down option pitch, sealed the win on Alleman’s kick and kept its title hopes alive on a legendary night in Tuscaloosa.
 
GAME NOTES:
Jarrett Lee did not play after his second interception of the game early in the third quarter … Basketball stars LeBron James and Dwayne Wade were on hand for the game, along with former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice … LSU outgained Alabama running the ball 148-96 … Brad Wing unleashed a massive 72-yard punt from his own 9 yard-line that swung field position in the fourth quarter … No touchdowns were scored in a game pitting two of the nation’s top 4 defenses.
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Contact Chris Abshire at [email protected]