Fortunate Sons

Tuscaloosa, AL - The third time was the charm for coach cjohnchavis today. The LSU coach took yet another gamble, this time on 4th and 3 with a three point lead. A pass from Cameron Treangen was caught by WR Al Thorne, giving LSU a first down, and ending any chance of Alabama recovering the football for one last drive.

What proved to be a hard fought defensive battle first appeared to be another Bama rout. The Crimson Tide forced a punt after holding the Tigers to one first down on their initial drive. Alabama soon took control when Eddie Lacy took an option pitch, broke a tackle, and scampered 43 yards for an early 7-0 lead. That drive and scored was followed by a quick interception by Alabama LB Tana Patrick. At that point it looked like Bama would ride early momentum to a two score lead. However, Tiger G Clay Spencer leveled the Crimson clad defender, working the ball loose, and allowing G Evan Washington to recover. The play occurred on 3rd down and 5, and gave the Tigers a fresh set of downs. "There is no doubt that the ball bounced our way on that play," said coach cjohnchavis "had we gone down two score in the first quarter, we may have not been able to dig out of that hole."

The Tigers capitalized on the good fortune and were able to tie the game. Treangen led the Tigers down the field passing the ball. The Tigers converted a 4th and 4 play when Treangen found sophomore wideout Bryan Abrams on a crossing route. That play was followed by a 5 yard pass to TE Erik O'Neal.

The Crimson Tide got the ball back with 5:51 remaining in the half and was able to answer the Tiger score. Alabama again relied on Senior HB Eddie Lacy, running on nearly every play of the drive. Coach Stubucksman also looked to Backup QB Phillip Sims to pick up a 4th and 3 from their own 25. "We saw Sims come in, we knew it was their 'Star' package from last season," said LB Donnie Whitaker "I screamed 'Check Cheese! Check Cheese! I'm trying to alert my DE that they are running that option play to his side." The Tigers failed to stop the play as Sims turned the corner and picked up the first down. However, Whitaker's hit knocked Sims out for the remainder of the game and forced them to use Andy "I'm not Star" Jackson in the Star package for the final three quarters. It only took three more gives to Lacy for the Crimson Tide to regain the lead as the senior found the endzone on a 43 yard touchdown rush. The score occurred with 4:52 remaining giving the Tigers plenty of time to answer.

"The mindset for us there was ball control, ball security and score late." said coach cjohnchavis. That is just what the Tigers did, running the clock all the way down to 19 seconds before HB Spencer Ware punched in a 1 yard run to cap off the drive and tie the game. At this point in the rivalry coach Stu usually runs his trademarked "Stubucksmanscorerightbeforehalftime" offense. However freshman Andy Jackson mistimed an option pitch and put the ball on the ground, allowing the Tigers to gain possession in prime field position. The Tigers were not able to capitalize with even a field goal as Treagen was hit during a throw and the ball fell into the waiting arms of Miller Nunley. The score would remain deadlocked at 14, and Alabama would have a chance to regain the lead following the second half kickoff.

The Crimson Tide would lean on Lacy once more driving to the LSU 31 yard line before the drive stalled and coach Stu was presented with a decision on 4th and 8. A quick huddle allowed QB AJ McCarron to launch a strike into the corner of the endzone, but the pass was swatted by S Eric Reid. The stop gave LSU the ball with 4:41 to go in the 3rd quarter and a chance to take their 2nd ever lead in the series. The Tigers mounted a drive that took the clock down to 6:26 remaining in the game, but were stopped at the Alabama 5 yard line. Derek Helton hit a 22 yard field goal (after missing big field goals in prior losses to Oklahoma and Florida) and the Tigers led 17-14.

Alabama kept the ball on the ground and mixed in a long pass to TE Christian Davis to drive the ball to the LSU 20 yard line with just over 3 minutes remaining. The Tide looked to Eddie Lacy on the counter play, who appeared to have the corner, before senior CB Tyrann Matthieu knocked the ball loose with a diving stop. "I was running over to back up the tackle for Tyrann and I just saw the ball on the ground," said S Craig Loston "my eyes got as big as softballs when I saw that." Loston recovered the fumble and returned it 21 yards to the Tiger 39 yard line.

A big play would follow on the subsequent play as Senior HB Will Chase took a pitch and broke free for a long run taking the ball all the way to the Bama 21 yard line with just 2:57 remaining. Bama was able to hold firm and force a 4th and 3 from the 14 yard line. With his third "fight or flight" decision of the season, coach cjohnchavis once again rolled the dice. Cameron Treangen found Al Thorne on the 3 yard line for the first down, sealing the victory.

The victory puts the Tigers into the drivers seat for coach cjohnchavis's first ever Conference Championship game. If the Tigers do not slip up at Ole Miss or against Arkansas, they will face the winner of next week's matchup between Florida and North Carolina.