TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – In a seesaw, top-5 affair thus far, No. 4 Alabama leads No. 2 LSU, 13-10, at halftime.
The Crimson Tide’s No. 4 total defense limited Tiger sophomore running back and Heisman candidate Leonard Fournette to nine yards on nine carries through the first 30 minutes, while Alabama junior running back Derrick Henry rushed for 91 yards on 15 carries, including a two-yard touchdown.
In fact, most of LSU’s yards through the first half came on two big pass plays. But after falling behind 10-0, a critical LSU drive on the ensuing possession kept the game from getting out of the Tigers’ reach
On the first possession of the game, Alabama senior quarterback Jake Coker directed the Tide offense into LSU territory, facing a fourth and one from the Tiger 31-yard line. But sophomore safety Jamal Adams sniffed out Coker’s quarterback keeper, tackling him at the line of scrimmage for a turnover on downs.
LSU, though, was unable to make good on the early momentum as sophomore quarterback Brandon Harris was sacked on third and eight, forcing a punt.
The two teams would trade punts, ending the first quarter with no score. The Tide would then go on a 15-play, 87-yard drive, finishing with a 22-yard field goal from junior kicker Adam Griffith.
Alabama would add to their lead on the next possession, aided by a 40-yard scamper from Henry to the LSU two-yard line. The junior tailback would punch in the score on the next play to give the Tide a 10-0 lead.
With Fournette struggling, Harris and the LSU offense showed life on its next possession. After a 15-yard facemask penalty that moved LSU close to midfield, the sophomore signal caller would find junior receiver Travin Dural for a 40-yard touchdown five players later to close the cap to 10-7.
The Tigers would force a three-and-out on the next Alabama possession, allowing Harris to guide a six-play, 45-yard drive, which would end in a 39-yard field goal from junior kicker Trent Domingue. A Tide pass interference penalty would help push the Tigers into Alabama territory on the game-tying drive.
After the ensuing LSU kickoff went out of bounds, Alabama was able to close the half with a 55-yard boot from Griffith to regain the lead heading into the locker room.

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Javier Fernández

LSU junior wide receiver Travin Dural (83) catches a pass during the Tigers' game against the University of Alabama on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015 in the Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Tigers trail the Crimson Tide, 13-10, at halftime.