By Hunt Palmer
THE STORY: LSU got whipped Saturday night by a formula they knew was coming.
Alabama snapped the ball to Jalen Milroe, and he ran. And he ran. And he ran. LSU never found an answer.
The Tigers had chances to stay in the ballgame. They squandered a first and goal at the five on their first drive. Garrett Nussmeier fumbled on the play following the defense’s biggest stop. Then he was intercepted in the end zone coming out of halftime.
LSU’s first sack was negated by a facemask. Alabama scored four plays later.
Almost everything that could go wrong did, and Alabama kicked down every door LSU cracked.
It’s reasonable to suggest LSU may have thrown the ball better in the first half were it not for driving rain. That also had nothing to do with LSU’s complete inability to get Milroe to the ground. And had nothing to do with the fact that the second half wasn’t much better.
LSU lost the yard stick, lost time of possession, lost the turnover battle, lost the game and lost its playoff chances.
This version of Alabama no longer takes a perfect game to beat. It does require better than your worst game.
That’s what LSU produced on Saturday night.
Brian Kelly ‘s team now must turn the page to two struggling name brands and scrappy ol’ Vandy. It’s not a lot to be excited about, and LSU’s preseason goals are now shot. We’ll see how they respond.
THE STATS: Milroe ran for a career-best 185 yards and four scores. In eight quarters against LSU, Milroe has run for 340 yards and eight touchdowns.
Alabama ran for 311 yards.
Alabama converted 10-of-13 third downs.
Alabama outscored LSU 21-6 in the first half and 21-7 in the second half.
Alabama had six rushes for more than 10 yards.
Alabama scored touchdowns on six of its eight drives not including the final kneel down.
LSU lost the turnover battle 3-0, and Alabama turned those three turnovers into 21 turnovers.
Whit Weeks made 15 tackles.
THE PLAYS: After Milroe and Alabama silenced a raucous Tiger Stadium crowd with a 75-yard touchdown drive to open the game, Zavion Thomas returned the ensuing kickoff 50 yards to midfield.
Two plays later Caden Durham exploded off the offensive left side for 45 down to the Alabama five. LSU stalled there and settled for a Damion Ramos kick from 23 yards. 7-3, Tide.
Justice Haynes scored from inside a yard out to make it 14-3. The play was reviewed, and the touchdown stood.
LSU was called for holding on a Ju’Juan Johnson direct snap carry that went down to the 10 yard line. Instead, it was second and 20 from the 31 yard line. That killed LSU’s touchdown chances. LSU was able to move the ball to the 26 to set up a 43-yard kick that Ramos connected on.
On fourth and one from the LSU 41, the Tigers stoned Jamarion Miller at the line of scrimmage to get the ball back with 3:40 left in the half.
On the next play Nussmeier was stripped and fumbled it right back to Alabama. The Tide scored four plays later to go up 21-6.
LSU drove right down the field on its opening drive of the second half. The highlight was a fourth and four catch by Taylor for a conversion. After Nussmeier hit Lacy down at the Alabama five, LSU appeared poised to cut into the Tide 21-6 advantage, but Nussmeier was intercepted in the endzone by Deontae Lawson.
LSU finally sacked Milroe for the first time on a third down with seven minutes to play in the third. Sai’vion Jones grabbed Milroe’s facemask to extend the drive. Milroe scored four plays later, and that about did it. 28-6 Alabama.
Stop me if you’ve heard this before. Milroe ran for a touchdown. Seventy-two yards this time. Tide by 29.
Nussmeier issued his third turnover of the game after the issue had been decided. Bray Hubbard picked him off at the LSU 47. Alabama paid it off with another score five minutes later.
LSU did manage a touchdown with 11 seconds left. Nussmeier hit Lacy for a 12-yard score in the back of the endzone to cement the final score of 42-13.
