11/9 LSU Game
Is this football season exhausting to anyone else but me? It seems like every week we’re playing Russian Roulette, just hoping that at the end of the game we don’t draw the chamber with the bullet. Saturday’s game was another exercise in frustration, where I thought we were clearly the better team (not by a huge margin, but definitely better), but we still kept stepping on our own toes, doing everything we could to keep LSU in the game until finally we really had to make a gut check at the end to pull it out. When all was said and done, we pulled out a 24-15 victory, but the score doesn’t really tell the tale as far as how close we were to losing this game.
We came out of the gate quickly, and we spent the majority of the first quarter in LSU territory. However, we never could close the deal, and when McElroy missed a wide open Marquis Maze streaking down the right sideline for what should have been a huge TD, I had a sinking feeling that things were going to get tense. Shortly after, LSU took a 7-0 lead when Corey Reamer got toasted by the LSU tight end. By the way, nothing against Reamer, but if you want a classic example of why we miss Dont’a Hightower, watch that drive. We almost tied the game on the next possession, but McElroy missed a wide open (I mean, REALLY wide open) Julio Jones on an out route at the goal line. We had to settle for a field goal to cut the lead to 7-3. Once again, right before halftime, we missed another golden opportunity. This time we ran a beautiful two-minute drill to get the ball into short field goal range, but McElroy scrambled into the pressure outside of the pocket and threw a floater to Colin Peek (who for some reason never turned around to look for the ball) that was easily intercepted by the LSU linebacker. We went into halftime trailing 7-3, and I had a distinct feeling of dread.
However, we opened the second half with a masterful drive culminating in a TD pass (yes, I said a TD pass) from McElroy to Darius Hanks, giving us a 10-7 lead. Our defense stopped LSU, but their punter (who must be some kind of super-hero), pinned us down at the one-yard line, and after a Julio Jones dropped pass, McElroy got called for intentional grounding in the end zone, resulting in a safety, and cutting the lead to 10-9. They then started chewing us up on the ground, and even though they lost their starting RB to a broken collarbone, their backup was able to break contain to the right side and score a TD. After Les Miles had brain-lock and went for two, they had a 15-10 lead.
The rest of the game was kind of a blur (mainly from rage), but here is how I remember it. We finally were going to call a decent play inside the five yard line, but a stupid penalty eventually cost us the TD, and we had to settle for a FG. When LSU got the ball back, they faced a 4th and inches, and even though we had absolutely no chance whatsoever of stopping them, Miles punted, and on the next play from scrimmage, Julio Jones took a misdirection screen pass for a 73-yard TD. Saban inexplicably went for two, but we made it, giving us a 6 point lead. After our defense stopped LSU, we took over at about midfield up by 6 with about 6 minutes left.
I really felt like any points would win the game for us at that point, but the last thing I wanted was to give the ball back to LSU with a chance for them to win it. Unfortunately, our play calling didn’t even give us a chance to get into field goal range, and we were forced to punt. However, LSU gave us a second life by running into the kicker, making it 4th and inches. We then went for it, and Ingram converted out of the Wildcat formation (I loved the call, by the way). Unfortunately, two plays later Greg McElroy threw a perfect strike to Patrick Patterson (LSU cornerback) on the sideline, and it looked like LSU was going to get the ball back with over 3 minutes left down by only 6. The replay officials took a look, and decided that there wasn’t enough evidence to overcome the call on the field, which was an incomplete pass. We then converted the third down on a crossing route to Julio, and soon after, Leigh Tiffin hit a huge field goal to effectively seal the victory. And before I go any farther, let me address that controversial call. You can say whatever you want, but the refs blew that call. It was clearly an interception. For once, a replay against LSU went in our favor, and thank goodness it did.
There were a lot of good things to take from this game. Obviously, beating a highly ranked LSU team to clinch a spot in the SEC Championship Game is fantastic. Also, I was thrilled to see us run an effective passing game again. Along the same lines, I was both shocked and delighted at the play of our offensive line. Never in a million years did I expect us to be able to protect McElroy against the LSU pass rush as well as we did. Finally, Leigh Tiffin hit another huge, clutch field goal. So there were lots of things for us to feel encouraged about. However, we simply can’t continue to waste opportunities like we keep doing. It almost cost us in the last two games, but hear me now and believe me later, it WILL cost us against Florida. I will feel better if we can put together a complete game or two before we face them.
Next week we face Mississippi State. They run a spread offense, and offenses like that traditionally give us trouble. Also, they have one of the best running backs in the SEC in Anthony Dixon, so they definitely have firepower. Of course, I expect us to win, but like I said before, we really need to put together a complete game, and this is a perfect opportunity. Besides, they’ve beaten us two out of the last three years, so we owe them!
That’s it for now. As always, feel free to send me any questions or comments.
Roll Tide!
Kenny
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