No. 5 Alabama beat No. 14 LSU 31-13 on Saturday at Tiger Stadium, outscoring the Tigers 21-0 over the final 18 minutes behind three touchdown passes from Keelon Russell. The win pushed Alabama to 7-2 on the season, while LSU fell to 6-3.
LSU outgained Alabama 457-285 in total yards and held the ball for 32 minutes 45 seconds, but two turnovers and a 0-for-4 mark on fourth down kept the Tigers from converting that edge into points. Running back Dilin Jones scored LSU’s only touchdown, a 5-yard run that put the Tigers ahead 13-10 with 2:44 left in the third quarter. Alabama answered with three straight scoring drives to close it out.
Takeaways From Alabama’s Win Over LSU
Russell delivers in the clutch
Keelon Russell completed 17 of 24 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, all three scores coming after LSU had taken its only lead of the game. He found Josh Ford for a 7-yard touchdown with 36 seconds left in the third quarter, then connected with Cederian Morgan from 25 yards and Kaleb Edwards for 4 yards in the fourth to put the game away.
Alabama’s defense forced the misses that mattered
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for 380 yards on 35-of-47 passing but was intercepted once, by Alabama’s Luke Metz, who returned it 28 yards. Alabama’s Luke Metz led all defenders with 11 tackles. The Tigers also lost a fumble, giving them two turnovers on the day against an Alabama offense that committed none. LSU’s four failed fourth-down conversions compounded the problem, leaving points off the board despite the Tigers’ yardage advantage.
Special teams and red-zone execution tipped the balance
Alabama kicker Conor Talty made all four extra points and his only field goal attempt, a 43-yarder, while LSU’s Scott Starzyk missed once on three tries. Alabama scored touchdowns on four of its scoring drives compared to LSU’s one, a difference that explains the final 18-point margin despite LSU’s edge in total offense.
Player Of The Game: Keelon Russell
Russell finished 17-for-24 passing for 206 yards and three touchdowns, spreading the ball to six different receivers and throwing his scores to three separate targets in the second half. He did not turn the ball over.
Alabama Vs. LSU By The Numbers
LSU held a significant edge in total yards, 457 to 285, and in first downs, 27 to 13, numbers that reflect the Tigers’ ball-control passing attack built around Leavitt and a trio of receivers who each topped 60 yards. Alabama’s rushing attack managed just 79 yards on 29 carries, a 2.7 average, and Russell’s touchdown passes did the heavy lifting offensively. LSU’s two turnovers against Alabama’s zero proved decisive, and LSU’s 0-for-4 showing on fourth down erased any benefit from its extended drives. Alabama scored on its scoring drives in the second half, finishing with three touchdown passes after LSU took its 13-10 lead.
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