Alabama leads LSU despite uneven first half
LSU produced 168 passing yards but scored only three points after red-zone failures, a missed field goal and Luke Metz’s interception.
| Kickoff | 3:30 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Venue | Tiger Stadium (LA) |
| Spread | LSU -6 |
| Total | 54.5 |
| TV | ERADM, ABC, Disney+ |
|---|---|
| Streaming | the ESPN app |
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Follow the full play-by-play and box score →Alabama took a 10-3 lead into halftime against LSU even though the Tigers moved the ball more consistently through much of the first half. LSU repeatedly stalled in the red zone and missed a long field-goal attempt. An interception ended a potential game-tying drive.
The Crimson Tide’s conservative offensive plan leaned on quick throws and easy completions to running backs and tight ends. Brent Taylor of Roll Bama Roll wrote that the approach helped Keelon Russell avoid Alabama’s early trouble from other major road games that season. The downfield passing game had yet to develop.
Alabama’s biggest offensive problem was self-inflicted damage. The Tide committed three false starts. A holding penalty erased a long run, while offensive pass interference wiped out a big completion before halftime. Taylor also pointed to late alignment and missed blitz pickups as issues that disrupted the offense.
Trae’Shawn Brown and Daniel Hill combined for 28 yards on 9 carries. Hill did break an explosive run, but a hold well behind the play wiped it out. That erased gain left the rushing totals worse than the overall process suggested.
LSU quarterback Leavitt completed 75% of his passes for 168 yards, largely through the quick passing game. Alabama’s pass rush struggled early before beginning to create pressure late, and the defense repeatedly held after LSU advanced into scoring position.
One costly mistake came on second-and-20 in LSU territory, when Carmelo ONeal missed a chance to stop a receiver. The play gained 30 yards. Luke Metz answered several plays later by intercepting Leavitt to preserve the seven-point lead. The lost time and a disputed offensive pass-interference call kept Alabama from mounting a better chance to make it a two-score margin before halftime.
Why it matters
Alabama held a seven-point halftime lead despite penalties, protection errors and LSU’s steady ball movement. Those mistakes cost the Tide gains and opportunities to extend its lead.
What to watch next
The second half was set to test whether Alabama could reduce its pre-snap errors, improve its downfield passing and generate more pressure on Leavitt.
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