by Chris Macaluso
Special to LSUSports.net
BATON ROUGE — Saturday’s game in Tiger Stadium was a contest between two teams with a lot in common. Both Alabama and LSU have struggled throwing the ball and both have outstanding defenses. LSU’s defense proved to be just slightly better in a 26-10 Tiger victory that 91, 861 fans shivered their way through.
LSU improved its record to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the Southeastern Conference and can now focus its attention on Ole Miss. Alabama sank to 6-4 overall and 3-4 in the SEC and can now try to put a large fly in the ointment of Auburn’s National Championship hopes when it hosts the undefeated Tigers next week in Tuscaloosa.
In game in which LSU and Alabama combined for 87 rushing attempts, it could be considered a bit ironic that the game hinged on two failed passing plays for the Crimson Tide in the second half.
Alabama entered the second half with a 10-6 lead and appeared poised to extend that lead after recovering a fumble deep in LSU territory with 12:57 remaining in the third quarter. But Tiger cornerback Corey Webster ended Bama’s threat when he intercepted a pass from Tide quarterback Spencer Pennington in the endzone and returned it to the LSU 44-yard line.
The Tigers then took the lead with 5:01 remaining in the third quarter when defensive end Marcus Spears chased down Pennington from behind and knocked the ball away while the Tide quarterback searched for an open receiver down field at the Alabama eight-yard line. Linebacker Cameron Vaughn picked up the bouncing ball and rambled into the endzone, giving LSU its first lead of the game and the lead for good.
Spencer completed just seven out of 15 passing attempts for 114 yards and an interception. LSU’s quarterback tandem of JaMarcus Russell and Marcus Randall struggled as well against an Alabama defense rated No.1 in the nation in total defense. Russell completed just five of 10 attempts for 92 yards and one touchdown while Randall had just one completion in four tries.
Joseph Addai proved to be the workhorse for the Tigers, accounting for 145 of LSU’s 283 yards. Kenneth Darby bore the load for Bama with 109 yards on 35 carries and one touchdown. The Tide finished the game with a mere 196 yards of offense.
The game started inauspiciously for the Tigers as Skyler Green caught the opening kick five yards deep in the south endzone, hesitated, then managed to stumble out to his six- yard line. Three consecutive running plays netted the Tigers -1 yard and LSU punter Chris Jackson punted out of the endzone to his 42-yard line.
Alabama’s ground oriented attack faired little better in its first offensive attempt as the Tide lost three yards on its first two plays before a delay of game penalty pushed the ball backwards across midfield. Alabama was forced to punt after its third draw play of the drive gained just two yards.
LSU took over at its 11-yard line and went right back to running the football against Alabama’s defense with minimal success. Tailback Alley Broussard picked up a first down with 11 yards on the first two plays of the drive and Russell passed for another first down to tight end Keith Zinger two plays later. But Russell also stumbled into two sacks leading to another punt and another chance for the Tide to start a drive near midfield.
Alabama left the run in its back pocket on the opening play of the ensuing drive as Pennington perfectly executed a play-action fake before finding receiver Matt Caddell wide open 38 yards down the field. Three plays later, Darby plowed his way into the endzone capping the brief drive. The point after gave the Crimson Tide a 7-0 lead with 4:27 remaining in the first quarter.
Again, LSU enjoyed momentary success on its next drive but was unable to move the ball to the 40-yard line. Jackson entered the game again and kicked the ball back to Alabama, who started deep in their territory after a personal foul during the punt pushed the ball to the Tide 10-yard line. Alabama punted three plays later to Green who set his team with good field position for the first time in the game after a 16-yard return gave LSU a first down at midfield less than 2:00 before the end of the first quarter.
LSU appeared to be in position to score the tying touchdown four plays later as a 21-yard catch by Craig Davis and a 15-yard carry by Addai set the Tigers with a first and goal at the Bama nine-yard line. Addai then pounded his way inside the five-yard line on the next two plays but the Tigers were forced to settle for a field goal after Russell was smothered and sacked again, this time, 12 yards behind the line of scrimmage. Ryan Gaudet booted a 32-yard field goal through the south uprights and the Tigers cut the lead to 7-3 with 12:17 left in the half.
Alabama responded by driving the ball straight into the teeth of a brisk and chilly north wind. The Tiger Stadium crowd rose to its feet to try to help the LSU defense stop the Tide fourth down at the LSU 30-yard line, but its effort and volume mattered little to Pennington who lobbed a short pass to fullback Le’Ron McClain who then dashed all the way to the Tiger six-yard line. McClain appeared to score Alabama’s second touchdown on the next play on a similar short pass but the play was called back because of an illegal procedure penalty. The Tide eventually extended its lead back to seven points when Brian Bostick drilled a 26-yard field goal ending a methodical 14-play drive.
Randall took over at quarterback for the Tigers on the ensuing possession and seemed to enliven the offense. Broussard busted through the tough Bama front for 35 yards on the drive’s first play before Green gained 16 yards on a reverse on the drive’s second play giving LSU a chance inside the Tide 20. But, the drive stalled at the Bama 10-yard line giving Gaudet a chance to kick his second field goal. This one sailed 28 yards and cut the Tide lead to 10-6 with 1:40 to play in the half.
Tiger coach Nick Saban attempted to catch the Tide off guard to start the second half by sending Gaudet out for an on-sides kick that might have worked had it not bounced out of bounds at the LSU 44-yard line. Bama took over with fantastic field position but was unable to pick up a first down. Bo Freeland then pinned the Tigers inside their own 15-yard line with a 30-yard punt.
The Tide didn’t have to wait long to get the ball back, though as Broussard simply dropped a handoff from Randall at the 12-yard line. A host of Tide defenders pounced on the loose ball and Bama’s offense returned within spitting distance of the goal line. But, the Tide’s chance ended three plays later when an attempted fade pass in the endzone by Pennington was intercepted by Webster. That chance fell by the way side as well for LSU and the Tigers punted again after a three-play drive.
After Bama lost two yards on the ensuing drive, the Tigers took over at the Tide 37-yard line. Again, the opportunity was squandered as the Tide defensive front pounded the Tigers five yards backward forcing Jackson to punt and pin Alabama at its two-yard line.
Darby left the shadow of his goal line behind with an 11-yard run on the drive’s first play but the tables turned dramatically on the Crimson Tide on the next play. Spears chased down a scrambling Pennington at the eight-yard line and knocked the ball out of his right hand. Vaughn gathered in the bounding ball as it slowly rolled toward the east sideline and dashed into the endzone untouched, giving LSU its first lead of the game. Gaudet’s point after gave the Tigers a 13-10 lead with 5:00 remaining in the third quarter.
Bama was pinned deep in its territory again on the next drive after returner Brandon Brooks fumbled the kick out of bounds at the eight-yard line. But the Tide moved the ball well thanks entirely to Darby’s strong running. The Tide advance was eventually stopped at its 40-yard line and LSU took over at its 20 after a 40-yard punt. The Tigers moved the ball a bit as well but again punted to and pinned Bama deep in its territory with 13:59 remaining in the quarter.
Three plays later, the Tide punted the ball right back and LSU took over at its 37-yard line after Freeland’s kick sailed and bounced 45 yards. Broussard exploded through the Bama front again on the drive’s first play picking up 21 yards and giving LSU a first down at the Tide 42-yard line.
Three plays later, Russell passed to a wide-open Addai in the left flat. Addai spun and juked and left Bama defensive back Anthony Madison grasping at air before out-sprinting the rest of the defense on his way to a 35-yard touchdown reception. Gaudet’s extra point lifted the Tiger lead to 20-10 and allowed the partial crowd to breath a little easier with 9:38 remaining.
Brooks fumbled the kickoff out of bounds again on his next try and Bama again started an offensive possession very deep in its own territory. Two very short running attempts and a sack of Pennington at the two-yard line forced Feeland to boot his punt out of the endzone and set up a first down for the Tigers at the Tide 27-yard line. Gaudet entered the game to try to extend the lead after the Tiger offense sputtered, but his attempt at a third field goal sailed to the left of the uprights from 39 yards away.
Pennington was sacked by Spears on the first play of the ensuing drive after the Tide took over at its 22-yard line and the Bama drive stalled shortly after. Continuing with the theme of the second half, LSU took over inside Alabama territory at the Tide 49. Two plays later, Addai salted away the game and Bama’s wounds with 4:32 remaining with a 47-yard touchdown run that made up a large chunk of his 99 rushing yards for the game. Gaudet missed the point after, but it mattered little at that point. LSU ended the game with Russell taking a knee at the Alabama 30-yard line.
LSU vs. Alabama — Nov. 13, 2004 — Tiger Stadium
Game Notes
Team notes
- LSU’s game captains are 58 Lionel Turner, 76 Andrew Whitworth and 84 Marcus Spears.
- Today’s honorary captains for LSU are Gabe Northern (OLB/DE, 1992-95), Billy Masters (E-SB, 1964-66) and Max Fugler (C, 1957-59).
- Alabama won the toss, deferred to the second half. LSU will receive to open the game.
- Tigers extending their consecutive starts streak tonight were: OT Andrew Whitworth (36), DE Marcus Spears (28), LB Lionel Turner (24), CB Travis Daniels (23), FS LaRon Landry (18) and DT Kyle Williams (17).
- Tonight’s attendance of 91,861 is the 10th largest in Tiger Stadium history.
- LSU’s sack of Alabama QB Spencer Pennington with 5:01 left in the third quarter (sack by DE Marcus Spears) extended the Tigers streak of recording at least one sack in a game to 34 straight.
- The fumble recovery for touchdown by Cameron Vaughn was the third defensive touchdown scored by the Tigers this season. Dating back to last season, LSU has scored 10 defensive touchdowns.
- LSU under Nick Saban … LSU is now 37-3 when leading after three quarters … LSU is now 42-3 when scoring 20 points of more.
- LSU has now won nine straight games in Tiger Stadium, 6-0 this season. The Tigers will go for their first undefeated season in the Stadium since 1972 (7-0-0) when LSU hosts Ole Miss next week. NOTE — LSU was 6-0-1 in 1976.
Individual notes
- Rudy Niswanger made his first career start at center replacing the injured Ben Wilkerson.
- Skyler Green’s 16-yard punt return in the first quarter moved the junior into sixth-place on the career punt return yards list in LSU history, passing Norman Jefferson (1983-86). Green entered the game with 591 yards and finished with 629 and now sits in sixth place.
- PK Ryan Gaudet’s 28-yard field goal was his second of the game. It was the third time in his LSU career that he has made two in a contest, the first time this year.
- CB Corey Webster’s interception with 11:15 remaining in the third quarter was the 16th of his career. He is now four interceptions shy of tying the school record of 20 set by Chris Williams.
- The 44-yard interception return was the longest by LSU this season.
- LB Cameron Vaughn was credited with his third fumble recovery of his career. It was his first touchdown of his career, coming with 5:01 to go in the third quarter.
- DE Marcus Spears’ sack with 5:01 to go in the third quarter was the 14th of his career. He recorded his 15th with just over six minutes to go in the game to move into a tie for 10th all-time in sacks at LSU with Corey White.
- That was Spears’ second forced fumble of the season.
- QB JaMarcus Russell’s touchdown pass with 9:38 to go in the game was his seventh of the season and his first since the Georgia game.
- DT Claude Wroten had his third and fourth sacks of the year, both in the fourth quarter.
- RB Joseph Addai’s 47 yard touchdown run with 4:32 to play gave Addai 99 yards on the game, one yard more than his career high of 98 yards against UL-Lafayette on Oct. 5, 2002. It was his third rushing touchdown of the year and his ninth rushing touchdown of his career.
- RB Alley Broussard’s 18 carries was the most by a Tiger rusher this season.
OPENING STATEMENT OF NICK SABAN
“It was a game with a lot of effort, not always executing like we’d like in terms of throwing the football and we made some mistakes on defense that gave them some plays in the first half. But what a great second half, coming back out great defensively, scoring a touchdown defensively for the third time this season, saving a touchdown after a turnover by coming up with an interception in the end zone. That changed the field position, which was really important. We ran the ball effectively. But Joe (Addai) and Alley (Broussard) did an outstanding job, the offensive line did an outstanding job. We weren’t always pretty in what we did, but you got to really give the players a lot of credit for the way they competed in the game. They played with a lot of heart. It meant a lot for them to come out there and give their best to try to win this game and I was really proud of the effort that we got.
“Everybody always asks what have you got to play for. You play for your pride. It means something. You beat Alabama, it means something. It was physical, it was tough. They played hard, they played great. You’ve got to give them a lot of credit, but I was really proud of our guys and the way they competed in the game, especially in the second half. It says something about them to be able to come back and do that. But the one thing that nobody says about this team that I’m going to say — We do a lot of things wrong, we’re not always pretty. We can complain about how much we throw the ball and many we complete, but the one thing we do is we have come back about four times and won. You’ve got to say something about that. A lot of team would have melt down in those situations, but I’m really proud in the way our players believe in themselves, trust in each other to be able to come back and win a game like they did today against a good football team.”
LSU OFFENSIVE PLAYER QUOTES
On getting the win over Alabama…
“Any time you play Alabama it’s a big game and a physical game. We struggled early, but the only thing that held us back was execution. We were playing physically and playing hard, but execution held us back. But it was a good win and a great chance to play a good team.”
On why LSU was successful…
“We came out and played our ‘A’ game; we had a lot of focus and intensity and were ready to play.”
On beating Alabama in Tiger Stadium…
“They have a great defense, so we got kind of hyped about facing them. That got us ready for the game so we had good practices this week.”
On picking up the intensity in the second half…
“We had a team meeting and said we just have to start playing Tiger football, and we came out and did that in the second half.”
RB JOSEPH ADDAI
On beating Alabama…
“It was a game we knew would be tough and we would have to come with our ‘A’ game. Coach (Saban) talked to us the whole week about playing poised and relaxed and just going out there and having fun.”
On picking up intensity in second half…
“We knew there was going to be some good times and some bad times in this game. We just had to stay together as a team and have everybody understand what we do. We had to keep playing hard for 60 minutes, and that’s what we did tonight.”
On how we felt in this game…
“I felt really confident coming into this game. I don’t know where it came from, but I really just felt like we were going to go out there, and no matter what happened, we were going to come out on top.”
On hitting his receivers…
“On one pass I cut my drop steps too short. It would have been a touchdown to Craig Davis if I would have taken my right amount of drop steps instead of setting too early.”
On the play of the defense tonight…
“They did a pretty good job, especially coming out after the half. They got some turnovers and gave us some great plays. Like they say, defense wins games. Our defense came out and put us in a great position to score touchdowns.”
On the rushing game versus Alabama…
“It started out front with the offensive line. They came through with some great blocks and made some great hits and gave us the opportunity to have some big runs.”
LSU DEFENSIVE PLAYER QUOTES
…On his caused fumble that led to a defensive touchdown
“I saw him hanging out there, and I thought he was going to throw it before I got to him. He still had it hanging, so I just swiped for it and was fortunate to get it on the ground. Then I looked thinking it was going out of bounds, and there goes Cameron (Vaughn). It was a great play by the defense — the cornerbacks holding off the receivers and me getting back there to cause the fumble.”
…On if getting a defensive touchdown was needed to win
“It’s always a goal for the game, or at least to get a turnover for some good field position. We were able to do that. When I saw Cam go in, it was almost a taste of last year when Eric Alexander picking one up and going in the end zone after I caused a fumble.”
…On the play of the defense
“I think it was very important that the defense come out and good, play physical because that’s the style of offense Alabama likes to play. I felt like everybody came out there with the right mindset, and we were able to do what we did.”
…On shutting down the Alabama running game
“They came in here, and that’s basically their game. They like to pound the ball at you and make you stop them. I think we did that well enough, and we kept them out of the end zone. He (Kenneth Darby) made some yards, but it ultimately turned out our way.”
…On the play of Claude Wroten
“Claude did a great job. We called some movement. Claude flourishes in movement. They were only putting one guy on him, and that’s not going to work. It worked out well for us, and Claude had a great game.”