LSU’s playoff hopes took a hit with a 31-13 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide Saturday afternoon in Tiger Stadium.
LSU, No. 14 in the College Football Playoff rankings, dropped to 6-3 and 3-3 in the SEC. Fifth-ranked Alabama improved to 7-2 and 5-2.
After a first half of missed opportunities, the Tigers took a 13-10 lead on a 5-yard run by Dilin Jones with 2:44 left in the third quarter.
But the Crimson Tide quickly regained the lead, taking five plays to cover 75 yards.
Alabama scored on its next two possessions. A 46-yard return to the Tigers 25 set up the first one and a turnover on downs at the LSU 18 set up the second.
LSU outgained Alabama 457 to 285.
“We take the lead especially after all the things we did wrong offensively earlier in the game,” LSU Head Coach Lane Kiffin said. “We take the lead wth three minutes left in the third quarter. And after that they go down and score and we played a really bad 18 minutes of football. So disappointed in that.
“Really disappointed for our fans. At that point of taking the lead the stadium was ready to help take over and they went down and scored. Once we got into some situations obviously you have to go for it on fourth down just to try to have a chance.”
LSU outgained Alabama 457-285.
Kiffin said the game came down to the red zone and fourth downs.
“We didn’t make any. 0-for-4,” Kiffin said. “And we got in the red zone more than they did. And that’ll give you a problem on the scoreboard. You’ll get a lot of yards and not many points when that happens.”
LSU got in the red zone twice in the first half and came away with three points.
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt completed 35-of-47 passes for 380 yards with one interception. Jackson Harris had 11 catches for 166 yards. Trey’Dez Green had 10 for 85.
Dilin Jones led the team in rushing with 56 yards on 17 carries.
Scott Starzyk kicked field goals of 23 and 41 yards.
Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell completed 17-of-24 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns. The Tide had 79 yards rushing.
Star receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams returned to action after missing two games because of injuries. He didn’t make a big impact, but he scored the first touchdown of the game on a 1-yard run, taking a pitchout from Russell after a fake handoff and jogging into the end zone.
LSU hosts Texas Saturday in Tiger Stadium. Kiffin was asked if this is where he thought his team would be at this point in the season. He said he didn’t.
“It where we are,” he said. “And we can’t change that. We’ve got to go back to work. We don’t have time to sit around and feel bad. Got some top 10 team coming in here in Texas. Probably one good thing about playing these type of teams in a row like this is you’ve got a chance to play another national game and get back on track.”