Sophomore defensive end Sam Montgomery sat on an exercise bike while junior kicker Drew Alleman lined up for the game-winning field goal against Alabama on Nov. 5.
Though Montgomery had full confidence in his kicker, he wanted to stay loose in case the defense needed him again. He already had two sacks, his second forcing Alabama sophomore kicker Cade Foster to attempt a 52-yarder, but still Montgomery had plenty left in the tank.
He compared the overtime sack against Alabama sophomore quarterback A.J. McCarron to Michael Jordan draining a last-second shot in the playoffs.
“That’s the most competitive game I’ve ever had in anything,” Montgomery said. “From video games to basketball, that was the most competitive thing I’ve ever played in my life.”
Montgomery’s performance against Alabama — six tackles with two for a loss — garnered him Southeastern Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week honors. He took home the award for the second time this season, but said he was still surprised to receive the recognition.
“It’s amazing to have it in such a big time game against Alabama,” Montgomery said. “I was stunned. I knew I had a really good game stat-wise. It was a major blessing, when No. 1 and No. 2 go at it, to be defensive lineman of the week. That says a lot.”
While Montgomery accepts the respect that comes with the award, he appreciates the recognition it brings to the entire defensive line.
“It’s not respect [for me] from people outside LSU,” Montgomery said. “It’s respect for our defensive line. We’re maturing, and we’re still going and learning how to fight.”
Montgomery might consider the award a big deal, but his teammates have grown accustomed to hearing “player of the week” and “Sam Montgomery” in the same sentence.
“It’s nothing new,” said sophomore defensive tackle Michael Brockers. “It’s like, ‘Oh, congratulations, again.’ It’s nothing we were celebrating because he’s done it before. He can go get some more [awards].”
Montgomery said after the game he finally felt like he had arrived on the national scene, but still had room to improve. Defensive coordinator John Chavis echoed those sentiments for the entire defense.
“They found ways to win football games in spite of some things,” Chavis said following the game. “You’re going to make some mistakes. There’s no doubt about that, but there’s room to improve. Even after nine games, there’s room to improve. This defense can be better, and we’re going to have to make sure that it gets better.”
After Alleman’s kick went through the uprights, Montgomery jumped off his exercise bike and immediately ran to the LSU section of Bryant-Denny Stadium to celebrate with the fans.
That celebration continued when the 6-foot-4, 245-pounder stepped back on campus Monday.
“People were looking at me crazy, and I was looking back at them and they started smiling, so everything was all good,” Montgomery said. “People were just stunned at how we can act like regular people. We can laugh and be silly, then we can go out there play the type of football that we do. It’s just a great feeling.”
Unlike some of his other teammates, Montgomery didn’t receive any standing ovations when he walked into class, but if he continues to improve like he vowed to do, that may change, he said.
“It didn’t happen while I was in class,” Montgomery said. “Hopefully tomorrow, hopefully tomorrow.”
 
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Contact Hunter Paniagua at [email protected]