Anyone who went to Bryant-Denny Stadium looking for a solid defensive game on Saturday was sorely disappointed.
Those looking for scores got their money’s worth from Alabama football and LSU.
But it wasn’t LSU’s nation-leading offense that won the scoring fest. The Crimson Tide did. Alabama defeated LSU 42-28 in a battle for SEC West supremacy.
Here are observations and takeaways from the game between No. 8 Alabama (8-1, 6-0 SEC) and No. 14 LSU (6-3, 4-2).
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The quarterback rush
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels put on a show together on the ground.
The quarterback rush
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels put on a show together on the ground.
Both make opposing defenses look silly at times. Milro rushed for three touchdowns in the first half alone. Daniels led the Crimson Tide for over 100 yards on the ground before halftime and Milrow also logged over 100 rushing yards before the break. Four of the six first-half touchdowns came at the feet of Milro and Daniels.
They both found ways to scamper for big gains in scrambles. They also had success in planned runs. Milro also displayed some physicality when he dropped his shoulder and popped LSU cornerback Xavien Toviano. Alabama tried to spy on Daniels, but it usually didn’t matter. When Nick Saban spoke at halftime on the Crimson Tide Sports Network broadcast, he expressed frustration with how Daniels killed UA on scrambles and how Alabama’s scouts couldn’t get Daniels on the ground. It improved slightly in the second half. Daniels didn’t do as much damage on the ground after the break, even before going after a big hit that put him in concussion protocol.
Alabama’s defense gets key turnovers
The LSU offense often had its way with the Alabama defense, but the Crimson Tide stepped up at a crucial moment.
In the third quarter, edge rusher Dallas Turner tipped a pass from Daniels that was caught by cornerback Terrion Arnold. A few plays later, Alabama scored to take a two-touchdown lead.
The Crimson Tide had plenty of defensive issues, but it was enough to help win the game in the second half.
Kicker Will Reichard sees remarkable streak end
Reichardt’s perfect season ended in the first half vs. LSU. The fifth-year kicker hasn’t missed an extra point or a field goal in 2023. In fact, he hasn’t missed a field goal since October 15, 2022, in a loss to Tennessee. Richard made 28 straight field goals, tied for the third-longest streak in NCAA history.
Then it ended when he missed a 47-yarder in the first half vs. LSU. He missed another in the fourth quarter.
Richard has reached a milestone though. He scored his 500th career point with his extra point in the third quarter, and he moved into third place in NCAA history in scoring. He also became the NCAA’s all-time leader in kicking points.
