Keelon Russell kept Alabama in control when LSU kept threatening, and the No. 5 Crimson Tide walked out of Baton Rouge with a 31-13 SEC win over the No. 14 Tigers on Saturday.
Russell finished with 206 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Alabama’s defense spent the night slamming the door on LSU in the biggest moments. Ryan Coleman-Williams chipped in a touchdown run and a pivotal punt return for the Crimson Tide, who improved to 7-2 overall and 5-2 in the SEC.
LSU had the ball in dangerous territory more than once, but the Tigers never found a clean answer. They were stopped twice inside Alabama’s 10-yard line and twice more at the Crimson Tide’s 36. Sam Leavitt completed 35 of 47 passes for 380 yards, but LSU came away without a touchdown through the air and was blanked over the game’s final 21 points.
Alabama set the tone early with the opening drive, finishing it with Conor Talty’s 43-yard field goal. LSU answered with Scott Starzyk’s 23-yard field goal to tie it 3-3 after the first quarter.
The Tide grabbed more separation right away in the second. After Starzyk missed wide left from 56 yards on LSU’s first snap of the quarter, Alabama turned that break into Coleman-Williams’ 1-yard touchdown run for a 10-3 lead.
LSU had chances to flip the game before halftime. The Tigers reached the Alabama 9 on one drive, but Leavitt’s pass was batted down on fourth-and-4. On the next possession, LSU moved to the Alabama 36 before Luke Metz picked off Leavitt and preserved Alabama’s 10-3 halftime edge.
LSU finally got some momentum after the break. The Tigers opened the second half with a drive capped by Starzyk’s 41-yard field goal, cutting the lead to 10-6. Then Dilin Jones punched in a 5-yard touchdown run with 2:44 left in the third quarter to put LSU in front 13-10 for its only lead of the day.
Alabama answered immediately and decisively. On the first play after the kickoff, Russell hit Rico Scott for 57 yards. Four plays later, he found Josh Ford on a 7-yard touchdown pass to put the Tide back on top 17-13 with 36 seconds left in the third.
From there, LSU kept pushing but couldn’t finish. The Tigers drove to the Alabama 36 and came away empty when Leavitt threw incomplete on fourth-and-3. Three minutes later, Coleman-Williams returned a punt 32 yards to the LSU 25, and Russell followed with a touchdown pass to Cederian Morgan to make it 24-13 with 9:44 left.
LSU’s next possession ended with a turnover on downs at its own 18, and Alabama closed it out with Russell’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Kaleb Edwards.
For LSU, the yards were there. The finishing touch wasn’t. And Alabama made sure the game’s final 21 points belonged to the Crimson Tide.
In Other News...
LSU Suddenly Has Another Big Alabama Availability Concern
LSU is still dealing with a thin margin for error heading into its matchup with Alabama, and the latest availability report did not do the Tigers many favors. Linebacker Whit Weeks remains doubtful for the game, while tight end TreyDez Green is listed as questionable because of a knee injury, adding more uncertainty to a roster already missing several players on season-ending injuries.
Alabama, meanwhile, got a cleaner update on its side of the ledger, with receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams and center Racin Delgatty both moved from questionable to probable. For LSU, the concern is less about one injury and more about how many moving parts remain in flux this late in the week, especially against a rival that is trending in a more stable direction. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Could Get A Huge Boost For Alabama At The Perfect Time
The timing could hardly be better for LSU. Tiger Stadium is set to host Alabama in a Week 10 SEC matchup after a bye week for both teams, and the Tigers appear to be getting a key piece back in tight end Trey'Dez Green after his injury absence. For an LSU offense that can use every available weapon in a game of this size, his return adds another layer to a matchup that already carries plenty of weight.
LSU's defense will also have a chance to lean into one of its biggest strengths against an Alabama quarterback who has taken plenty of punishment this season. Keelon Russell has been sacked 22 times, and the Tigers have built a reputation around getting after the passer. With both teams still chasing playoff positioning, this one in Baton Rouge has the feel of more than just another SEC showdown. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Fans Have Several Week 10 Games Worth Watching Closely
Week 10 brings a slate that should keep LSU fans glued to the scoreboard even before the Tigers take the field, with several matchups carrying real weight for the playoff race and the national rankings. Utah-BYU, Texas-Missouri, Ohio State-Oregon, Georgia-Ole Miss and Miami-Notre Dame all have something at stake, whether it is a chance to improve a resume, protect a spot near the top of the poll or survive a tricky conference test that could reshape the postseason picture.
For LSU supporters, the appeal is not just the quality of the games but the ripple effect they could have on the road ahead. Injuries to key players and the way each team handles those absences could matter as much as the matchup itself, especially with so many contenders clustered together and every result carrying extra weight. By Saturday night, the Tigers may have a clearer sense of which teams are separating themselves and which ones are about to make the playoff conversation even messier. [Read more 🡒]