Alabama avoid trap game against LSU

The Crimson Tide held on to beat the LSU Tigers, 20-14 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Saturday evening.

On Alabama's first drive of the game, a 49-yard field goal attempt by Will Reichard doinked off of the crossbar. LSU capitalized on its first drive of the game, ending an 8-play, 68-yard drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Max Johnson to wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. Back-to-back three-and-out drives and an interception by Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle limited LSU to just nine yards for the remainder of the first half.

The Crimson Tide failed to score on each of its first four drives of the game. Finally a 12-play, 77-yard drive ended with a two-yard touchdown rush by running back Brian Robinson Jr. At halftime, Alabama led LSU 14-7.

Four plays into the third quarter, Alabama linebacker Henry To'oTo'o forced a fumble, resulting in a turnover and giving the Crimson Tide the ball at its own 42-yard line. Just two plays later, Alabama quarterback Bryce Young connected with wide receiver Jameson Williams for a 58-yard bomb. Reichard missed the ensuing extra point, but Alabama had obtained its first two-score lead of the night.

The Tigers stringed together a 14-play, 89-yard drive ending with another eight-yard touchdown pass, this time from Johnson to tight end Jack Bech to pull the Tigers within six points.

With exactly :50 seconds left to go, the Tigers took over on their own 38-yard line. Max Johnson's 30-yard prayer fell incomplete as time expired. Johnson finished the day 16 of 32 for 160 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, while Young completed 24 of 27 passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns.