Game Notes
Saban Quotes
LSU Player Quotes
Mike Dubose Quotes
Alabama Player Quotes
by Ryan Rogers
LSUsports.net
BATON ROUGE — The “Curse” is over. After nearly 31 years, the cloud that has loomed over Tiger Stadium since Nov. 8, 1969, has been lifted as the boys of the Old War Skule defeated the ghost of Paul “Bear” Bryant in Death Valley, 30-28, in front of a record crowd of 91,778 and a national television audience. And, the Vaseline-greased goal posts came down.
With the victory, LSU (6-3, 4-2) became bowl eligible for the first time in three seasons and won three consecutive Southeastern Conference game for the first time since 1988. LSU also finished the season 6-1 in Tiger Stadium including 4-0 in the SEC.
LSU quarterback Josh Booty finished the game 18-of-31 for 275 yards and four touchdowns, including the game winner of 16 yards to Robert Royal with 5:49 left in the game.
LaBrandon Toefield led the Tigers in rushing with 85 on 21 carries, while Domanick Davis added 36 and Booty scrambled for 13 including a career-long 14-yarder.
The Crimson Tide made a late drive and scored when quarterback Andrew Zow hit wide receiver Freddie Millons on a 13-yard touchdown strike. However, the onside kick was recovered by Robert Royal and LSU has beaten Alabama in Baton Rouge for the first time since 1969 when Charlie McClendon beat Bear Bryant’s Alabama team, 20-15.
SECOND HALF RECAP
LSU caught a break in the third quarter. Both teams offenses sputtered early in the second half. The teams took turns punting. Then Freddie Millons muffed a punt and LSU’s Trev Faulk recovered the ball at the LSU 47-yard line.
A turning point in the game occurred at that time. Booty was stopped short on fourth-n-inches at the Tide 43-yard line. Two plays later Ahmaad Galloway scored on a 55-yard touchdown run. The scored was tied at 14-14 with 7:17 remaining in the third quarter.
LSU responded like a team with confidence and composer. Behind the arm of Booty LSU drove the ball 57 yards. However, Corbello missed a 26-yard field goal attempt.
Alabama took the ball from their own 20-yard line and ran the ball 80 yards down the field for the go ahead score. The Tide never attempted a pass on the drive as LSU was helpless to stop the run. Dustin McClintock scored on a dive from one-yard out. Alabama took their first lead at 21-14 with 12:43 remaining in the game.
On the next drive true freshmen receiver Jack hunt made the biggest catch of his young career. He snagged a 12-yard frozen rope from Booty on a slant route on third down that kept the Tigers in business. On the very next play Booty found Reed open on a nice play fake. Reed rambled down the sidelines for a 36-yard gain. Two plays later, Robert Royal made the biggest catch of his career. On a play-action-pass Booty was pressured right away and lobbed a ball into the endzone in which Royal extended in the air and made the catch. The P.A.T. by Corbello was blocked and LSU trailed 21-20 with 10:06 remaining in the game. The drive went for 75 yards.
LSU forced a turnover on the first play Alabama of the Alabama drive. Galloway was stripped by Jarvis Greene and Ryan Clark fell on the ball to give LSU the ball at the Alabama 9-yard line. After the Tigers failed to put the ball in the endzone, Corbello kicked a 28-yard field goal to give LSU a 23-21 lead with 8:18 left in the game.
After an incredibly complicated situation in which the officials almost gave Alabama the football at the LSU 14-yard line. The question came when LSU was charged with a block in the back on a punt return. Alabama’s Shontua Ray ran into Domanick Davis forcing him to muff the kick. LSU’s Erin Damond recovered the football, but the officials thought the Tide had recovered it. A frantic LSU team pointed toward the Jumbo Tron in Tiger Stadium and convinced the officials to make the right call. Finally, the officials gave LSU possession. What a controversy that would have been had Alabama been awarded the football. Talk about “Crimson Curse.”
On LSU’s first play Booty hit tight end Robert Royal. Royal rumbled down the field for a 50-yard gain. Three plays later Booty found Royal on the same play and Royal fought his way into the endzone for a huge touchdown.
LSU held Alabama on fourth down on their next possession. Zow’s pass intended for McAddey was broken up by Ryan Clark.
FIRST HALF RECAP
In a half dominated by the Tiger defensive, LSU was only able to score 14 points despite outgaining the Tide 163-69 and penetrating Alabama territory on seven occasions. The Tide’s lone scoring drive started at its own 33-yard line and included 26 penalty yards on two LSU personal fouls.
LSU finally got the offense rolling on their its possession. A 78-yard drive was capped off by a 34-yard touchdown pass from Josh Booty to Josh Reed. The Josh-Josh connection hooked up on a touchdown for the fifth time this season. Booty pump-faked and the Alabama safety bit hard as Reed glided alone into the endzone for the score. LSU established the running game during the drive. LaBrandon Toefield had runs of 11, 7 and 10 yards. Ironically, LSU scored when they had bad field position for the first time starting at their own 22 yard line. LSU led 7-0 with 58 seconds left in the first quarter.
Following LSU’s score, the game took an interesting twist. Constant sloppy play by Alabama offensively resulting in penalty after penalty eventually hurt LSU. The Tide were penalized for a delay of game.
Jeremy Lawrence came around the end, unaware that the whistle had blown and crushed Zow. The play resulted in a personal foul penalty against LSU, followed by a unsportsman like conduct call on the LSU sidelines.
Two plays later Damien James was called for a 15-yard face mask. Despite the fact that the Tide struggled to move the football, the 45 yards in penalties allowed them to move down the field and score on a 9-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Carter. The Tide had a big pass play to Jason Mcaddey that went for 72-yards. This is the exact type of scenario that has allowed the “Crimson Curse” to linger in Baton Rouge for 30 years.
Then LSU did something special. Unlike teams of the past, they didn’t let the momentum swing change their attitude. The Tigers marched down the field and scored a go ahead touchdown which squashed all momentum Alabama had built up. Booty hit Reed on a curl from 11 yards out and LSU led 14-7 with 6:45 remaining in the first half.
It was LSU’s 16th consecutive score when reaching the redzone. The drive consisted of a key scramble by Booty for a first down. He ran down field and pick up an excellent block by Tommy Banks. Banks brought down two Tide defenders with a powering block. The drive started with good field position thanks to a 46-yard kick return by Davis.
The LSU defense is playing its best game this year thus far holding Alabama to 67 yards of total offense in the first half. The Tide had 16 yards rushing and 51 yards passing.
LSU opened the game with a 46-yard kickoff return courtesy of Domanick Davis. However, the Tigers failed to capitalize on the excellent field position. Josh Booty completed a pass to Jerel Meyers to convert on third down, but the play was called back due to illegal procedure on LSU. The Tigers were forced to punt.
The LSU defense forced a turnover on Alabama’s first possession. Alabama quarterback Andrew Zow was pressured by the LSU pass rushers on the roll and threw a lazy pass downfield which was caught by receiver Sam Collins. LSU cornerback Demetrius Hookfin made a nice play to take the ball away from Collins. LSU took over at the Alabama 28-yard line. Again the Tigers failed to get points out of the field position. Robert Royal dropped a would be first down catch and LSU punted.
Alabama kept a drive alive by receiving a questionable pass interference call downfield. The ball was thrown deep by Zow to Millons. Lionel Thomas came across and made a nice play on the ball. However, the official ruled a questionable pass interference call.
Regardless, the LSU defense led by a sack by Treverance Faulk forced the Tide to punt three plays later. The 20-yard punt by Lane Bearden was miss hit and LSU took over at the Alabama 49-yard line. For the third consecutive series. LSU failed to take advantage of the field position. Myers dropped another pass that would have given LSU a first down. Donnie Jones then miss hit a punt of his own and Alabama took over with descent field position at their own 33-yard line. Jones’s punt tallied for only 16 yards.
Davis returned a punt near the end of the half to the Alabama five-yard line. However, it was called back for holding negating a 49-yard return.
Just before halftime, the LSU special teams gave the Tide bad field position. Jones’s punt was downed at the 1-yard line by LaVar Johnson. The Tide couldn’t move the ball
Booty was 9-of-13 for 96 yards passing with two touchdown passes and no interceptions.
LSU vs. Alabama Game Notes (page 1 of 2)
- This afternoon’s game marks the 22nd appearance all time for LSU on CBS and the first this season. The Tigers are now 11-10-1 all-time on CBS, including a 3-1 mark against the Tide.
- The crowd of 91,778 marks the largest of the season for an LSU home game. It is also the largest in Tiger history.
- LSU beat Alabama in Tiger Stadium for the first time since a 20-15 win over the Crimson Tide on Nov. 8, 1969. It is the first overall win in the series for LSU since a 27-0 win in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Nov. 8, 1997
- With the win, the Tigers became bowl-eligible for the first time since 1997. The fourth conference win is also the highest-total since the 1997 season.
- The win improved LSU to 6-1 at home this season, the Tigers best home mark since going 6-1 in 1996. It is also the first time since 1972 (when they beat Auburn, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Mississippi State) that LSU has beaten four SEC opponents at home. This is the third straight SEC home win for the Tigers. It is the first time LSU has accomplished that feat since winning four straight over the course of the 1995 (Ole Miss and Arkansas) and 1996 (Auburn and Vanderbilt seasons. It is just the first time since 1988, when LSU won five straight, that the Tigers have won three straight SEC games in the same season.
- All of LSU’s seniors were captains for this afternoon’s game. Tommy Banks, Fred Booker, Louis Williams and Brandon Winey represented the seniors during the coin toss.
- Defensive lineman Chad Lavalais became the 13th first time starter this year for the Tigers as he lined up at defensive tackle to start the game.
Louis Williams has now started in 31 consecutive games for the Tigers, the longest active streak on the team. Fred Booker made his 26th straight start this afternoon, the second longest streak for the Tigers. Ryan Clark and Trev Faulk continued their streaks of consecutive starts at 20 and 17, respectively.
Reggie Robinson‘s 12-yard pass from Josh Booty in the second quarter extended his team-high streak of consecutive games with a catch to 26. Jerel Myers caught a pass for the 20th straight game, representing every game of his LSU career. Booty found Myers for a nine-yard gain on the opening drive. Josh Reed also continues his streak of consecutive games with a reception. He has a catch in 12 straight games as he hauled in a 16-yard reception on the first play of the game.
Domanick Davis‘ 46-yard kickoff return to start the game was his second-longest of the season behind only a 48-yard return he had on Sept. 9 against Houston. It also moved him over the 1,000-yard mark for his career in kickoff returns. Davis’ 46-yard kickoff return after Alabama’s second-period touchdown, his second of that distance in the game, moved him past Sammy Martin into third in LSU history in kickoff return yardage with 1,070 yards.
Demetrius Hookfin intercepted a pass for the first time in his career as he picked off Andrew Zow’s pass intended for Sam Collins on the first drive of the game. It is the eighth interception for LSU this season.
- Alabama’s inability to score on its opening possession marks the 13th time in the past 14 games that the Tiger defense has stopped its opponent to open the game. LSU held the Crimson Tide scoreless for the remainder of the first quarter. It is the seventh time in nine games the Tiger defense has not allowed a first-quarter touchdown.
Josh Reed‘s two touchdown receptions, which covered 34 and 11 yards respectively, were his ninth and 10th of the season, marking the second most receiving TD’s in a single season in LSU history. He is one behind school record holder Wendell Davis, who had 11 TD receptions in 1986. Reed is also tied for 14th in SEC history in touchdown catches in a single season.
Josh Reed, who started the game with 809 yards receiving this season, moved into sixth place in LSU history for receiving yards in a season with a his performance today. He passed Andy Hamilton (6th-870 yards in 1970), Todd Kinchen (7th-855 yards in 1991), Andy Hamilton (t8th-854 in 1971), Jerel Myers (t8th-854 in 1999) and Sheddrick Wilson (10th-845 in 1995).
- The Tigers scored a first quarter touchdown for the third straight game when Josh Booty found Josh Reed for a 34-yard scoring strike.
- The 14-yard scramble by quarterback Josh Booty in the second quarter was a career-long run, topping his previous best of a 10-yard run against Kentucky on Oct. 16, 1999.
Josh Booty‘s 11-yard scoring strike to Josh Reed in the second quarter was his second of the game. He has thrown at least two touchdown passes in every start this season except against UAB on Sept. 23.
Josh Booty threw a career-high four touchdown passes to tie the school record held by six other players. He ran his season total of touchdown passes to 16, which ranks him fifth in school history for TD passes in a single-season. He has now thrown nine touchdowns, compared to only one interception, in his past three games.
- As a team, LSU now has 23 touchdown passes this season, which ranks second in school history for TD passes in a season. The 2000 Tigers are three shy of the school record of 26 set in 1989.
- LSU extended its red-zone scoring streak to 18 consecutive trips with points when Josh Booty found Josh Reed for an 11-yard strike in the second quarter. The streak was snapped later in the game when John Corbello missed a 26-yard field goal attempt wide to the left in the third quarter. LSU had last failed to score when inside the 20-yard line in third-quarter against UAB on Sept. 23 when Booty was intercepted in the endzone.
Trev Faulk recovered a fumble for the fourth time this season when Freddie Millons dropped a Donnie Jones punt in the third quarter. It was the first time a Faulk recovered fumble has not resulted in points. His three previous recoveries led to 17 points for the Tigers (3 vs. Auburn, 7 vs. UAB, 7 vs. Kentucky). Faulk’s four recoveries on the year are the most for an LSU player since Gregg Dubroc had five recoveries in 1981.
- The 55-yard touchdown run by Ahmad Galloway of Alabama in the third quarter was the longest against LSU this season, bettering the 37-yard run by Robert Gillespie of Florida on Oct. 7, 2000.
Robert Royal‘s two touchdown receptions in the fourth quarter ran his season total to five setting a school record for touchdown catches by a tight end in a single season. He broke the old record held by Brian Kinchen, who had four in 1986, and Doug Moreau, who had four in 1964.
Josh Reed went over 100 yards receiving for the fifth time this season, finishing the game with 129 yards on eight catches. He previously had 100+ yards against Western Carolina (137), Auburn (167), Tennessee (146) and Mississippi State (113). It is the first time an LSU player has had five 100-yard receiving games in a single season since Tony Moss did so in 1988.
Robert Royal‘s 50-yard reception from Josh Booty in the fourth quarter is the longest of his career. It also gave him a new career-high in receiving yards as he had 71 yards on 3 catches. His old career high was 54 yards set against Tennessee on Sept. 30, 2000.
Head Coach Nick Saban
“We’re proud of our players. I think they accomplished a lot out there today. To lose the momentum of the game in the third quarter and lose the lead then come back and win the game in the fourth quarter for the second week in a row. It just shows the kind of competitive spirit the team has.”
“I think we made plays when we needed to on both sides of the ball, especially on special teams with Robert Royal getting the on-sides kick, Erin Damond getting the fumble on the punt, which I think was a penalty.”
“I’m very proud of what I players have accomplished to this point. We’ve won three SEC games in a row and beat Alabama for the first time in a long time. The players are most happy about the fact that I told them if they win three games in a row they can have their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches back for their snack. Believe it or not that’s what they are most happy about. And as Bradie James said, ?With white bread,.”
“It was a great win for us. Alabama has a great football team and they are very well coached. They played hard in the game, and it really shows the class and the character their program has for their players to come in here and compete the way they did under the circumstances they are in.”
“I think the fans were great out there today, especially in the fourth quarter. A lot of guys made a lot of big plays, and it is hard to stand here and single them out.”
“Defensively we had a little lull where they were pounding us pretty good in the third quarter. It was good to see the players bounce back and gets some stops in the fourth quarter when we needed to.”
“I was a little upset at the end of the game. I thought we were playing a little too soft because we weren’t trying to play soft at the end of the game. We didn’t really want to let them score.”
Kyle Kipps–DE–85
“It was the last home game for a lot of the seniors, playing Alabama and not having beat them in over 30 years. It was a huge win. It feels great right now.”
“I let him (Zow) slip out a little bit. I might have gotten a half a sack. I thought I had him better than that. I slowed him up and then everybody else came and helped me clean him up.”
Louis Williams–C–70
“I think he (Booty) is becoming a better and better player and that’s all you can ask of him. We’re all extremely pleased with him.”
(in 4th quarter) “We knew we had to come back out there and score initially. Once we got to get the game back, we just ultimately went out there and took the game over in the 4th quarter like we have the past couple of weeks.”
(on Robert Royal) “He is just a constant playmaker. He made plays for us all season.”
Bradie James–11–LB
“I feel great. The two weeks of preparation paid off. We’ve been working ever since our last game two weeks ago. This is the third consecutive SEC game we’ve won since 1988. We beat Alabama here for the first time since 1969. It is just a great accomplishment.”
Fred Booker — 1 — CB
“I’m so happy right now, because it was my last game in Tiger Stadium. I just asked the team to give me 60 minutes. They came out and put forth a great effort. I’m glad coach Saban and his staff came, because I wanted to go out with a winning season.”
“It’s a very big win. Not only because it was my last game, but we are in the race right now. Every game is crucial.”
“The biggest game is the next game. Right now we are on a roll, I think we need to keep rolling.”
Josh Booty — 14 — QB
“I didn’t think we had the momentum (going in to the fourth). They were up 21-14, but we really seemed to bounce back. I could see the attitude on our players faces. We did some good things, we kicked the field goal and went ahead.”
“Against Mississippi State we were down and came back. Against Alabama we were down and came back. We are just doing some good things when we are down. I think our attitude is really getting good. As an offense we know we can come back.”
“Last year was such a heartbreaker. We didn’t do much on offense against Bama. It’s good to come out and get a win, even more for me. For all the Tigers since that played since 1970, it’s a huge win.”
QUOTES FROM ALABAMA HEAD COACH MIKE DUBOSE
Congratulations to LSU and Nick and this football team. He has done a great job with it. They are playing with a lot of confidence
I told our players and I really thought that if we came and played every play as hard as we could play and when there was a bad play, and there were going to be some bad plays, we could just go to the next play. If we could do that for 60 minutes we would win and we did that, but we didn’t win.
I was extremely proud of the effort, but we didn’t come just to give good effort, we came to win. It has been a very difficult week on them and I was extremely proud of the effort they gave tonight.
The turnovers, the inability to defend the tight end when we were in the blitz situations hurt us an awful lot. Procedure penalties at the line of scrimmage, offensively, continued to plague us.
We tried to come back to (the running game). LSU did some things to take it away. We tried to come back to it and we thought we set it up good and we thought we could have a big play throwing the ball down the field off of it, but we just didn’t quite execute and that put us in second-and-10.
Dustin McClintock — 30 — FB
“When I came in the second half, things picked up a little bit just because we knew we had everybody in. (Shaun Bohanon) was doing a good job, but he is primarily a tailback.”
“It’s hard. You go out there and play your butt off for a whole quarter, just running the football at them time after time. When it gets shut down it get kind of tough. It was hard for me. I’m used to being in there.”
“They came out there and put it to us. That’s just the way it is sometimes.”
Milo Lewis — 21 — CB
“They executed the plays that they needed to move the ball. As you can see, they put points on the board. I guess they wanted to run then put it in the air. The did. They just kept running it and we shut it down. Then they came back to their game and it was going back and forth.”
The punt return messed up the momentum when they reversed the call. I watched the big screen and that kind of put some doubt in our minds. We had the momentum going, we just got a big play. We just didn’t execute defensively after that.”