Alabama Versus LSU 2009

Number 2 Crimson Tide Remains Unbeaten with Fourth Quarter Comeback

Nov 8, 2009

Crimson Tide football clinched the SEC West and a date with Florida in the SEC championship game in Atlanta, after defeating LSU in a thrilling home victory.

The University of Alabama scored a touchdown and two field goals in the fourth quarter to beat the LSU Tigers. LSU scored touchdown the first half, along with a touchdown and safety in the third quarter. During the fourth quarter Bama had had enough and completely dominated the LSU defense and offense, holding them scoreless. Number 2 (BCS) Alabama earned its 9th straight victory and its second consecutive SEC West championship.

Crimson Tide’s (9 – 0, 6 – 0 SEC) stifling defense held LSU (7 – 2, 4 – 2 SEC) to 95 yards rushing and 176 yards receiving for a total of 253 yards. The University of Alabama rushed for 176 yards and 276 yards receiving for a total of 452 yards. Bama had 24 first downs and the Tigers had 13 first downs.

McElroy completed 19 of 34 passes and one interception for 276 yards during the game. So far this season, his totals are 140 – 236 – 4 for 1721 yards and 11 touchdowns. Crimson Tide’s Mark Ingram rushed 22 times for 144 yards, giving him a total of 1148 yards and a 6.7 yard rushing average so far this season.

Marquis Maze was the leading receiver with six receptions for 88 yards. Julio Jones had 4 receptions for 102 yards and one touchdown. Darius Hanks had one reception for 21 yards and one touchdown.

Leigh Tiffin (23 – 26) continued his hot streak by kicking three more field goals during the game. These field goals and one extra point lifted him to Alabama’s all time scoring leader with 347 points. He eclipsed Phillip Doyle’s 1989 – 1991 record of 345 points.

Alabama leads the LSU series 45 – 23 – 5, along with a current two game winning streak over the Tigers. Bama holds the lead of 9 – 8 at home and 25 – 8 – 2 in Baton Rouge.

Crimson Tide Football First Half Action

The first quarter was a defensive struggle resulting in Alabama’s P. J. Fitzgerald punting three times and LSU’s Derek Helton and Josh Jasper sharing punting duties with three punts. The most notable punt was Jasper’s punt that pinned the Crimson Tide on the own one yard line; however, Bama moved the ball to the Tigers 44 yard line before they were forced to punt. The score at the end of the first quarter was 0 – 0.

LSU’s first drive of the second quarter resulted in a touchdown pass from Jordan Jefferson to Deangelo Peterson for 12 yards. Alabama responded with a drive that stalled in the red zone that resulted in Leigh Tiffin’s first field goal of the game for 28 yards.

The Tiger’s next two drives of the quarter ended in punts. The Crimson Tide had two more drives which resulted in a punt and an interception on LSU’s 23 yard line. The first half ended with LSU leading 7 – 3.

Alabama Crimson Tide Football Second Half Action

Alabama’s first drive of the third quarter resulted in a touchdown pass from McElroy to Hanks for 21 yards, with the extra point by Tiffin good.

LSU’s first drive of the quarter ended in a punt which pinned Bama on the 1 yard line for the second time during the game. This time the Tide was not so fortunate, because McElroy was called for intention grounding to avoid a sack which resulted in a safety.

The Tiger’s next drive resulted in a rushing touchdown by Stevan Ridley for 8 yards. LSU attempted a two point conversion which failed. LSU’s starting quarterback Jefferson was injured during the quarter and never returned. The quarter ended with the Tigers leading 15 – 10.

The fourth quarter’s first drive by Alabama resulted in another red zone stall, resulting in a Tiffin field goal for 20 yards.

The Crimson Tide’s next drive resulted in a touchdown pass from McElroy to Jones for 73 yards after just one play. Alabama’s two point conversion attempt resulted in a successful rush by Trent Richardson.

The Tide’s Tiffin sealed the win for the Crimson Tide with a 40 yard field goal with three minutes remaining in the game.

LSU’s three drives of the quarter resulted in punts, as Bama dominated the Tigers the entire quarter. The game ended with the Crimson Tide winning 24 – 15.

Alabama Football Wrap Up and Future Schedule

Although Alabama football continued to struggle in the red zone during the first three quarters of the game; however, they came out of their slump in the fourth quarter with a come from behind win. The University of Alabama’s next game will be at Mississippi State (4 – 5, 2 – 3 SEC) on Saturday November 14th to continue more Southeastern Conference action for the Crimson Tide.

The copyright of the article Alabama Versus LSU 2009 in College Football is owned by David R. Wetzel. Permission to republish Alabama Versus LSU 2009 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.