BATON ROUGE — LSU suffered one of its worst losses against rival Alabama with Saturday’s 55-17 defeat.
The No. 1 ranked Crimson Tide scored the most points by either team in the series history and the 38-point defeat was the largest margin of victory either team since Alabama bested LSU 42-0 in 1925.
With the loss, LSU drops to 3-5 overall on the season.
How It Happened:
Alabama wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. The Crimson Tide needed only seven plays to go 75 yards on the opening possession as Najee Harris scored on a 14-yard run.
LSU’s first drive had promise as the Tigers went 60 yards on 11 plays but on fourth and inches, Tyrion Davis-Price was stuffed at the line of scrimmage.
Alabama responded with a five-play, 85-yard scoring drive capped by Harris’ second score of the game — a one-yard touchdown run. Then after a three-and-out by LSU, Alabama added to its lead as the Crimson Tide needed only five plays to score with Mac Jones finding Jahleel Billingsley open for a 24-yard touchdown.
Alabama had raced out to a 21-0 lead.
LSU finally got something going offensively as T.J. Finley led the Tigers down the field for a scoring drive. Finley found former Westgate High star Kayshon Boutte wide open for what appeared to be a 43-yard touchdown. Boutte though dropped the ball at the goal line but Jontre Kirklin recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown.
Alabama answered right back as Jones hit DeVonta Smith for a wide open 65-yard touchdown but then LSU responded with a 54-yard touchdown run by John Emery Jr.
Alabama would close out the first half with a 61-yard touchdown pass from Jones to Smith, a 30-yard field goal by Will Reichard and then a 20-yard touchdown pass from Jones to Smith.
LSU meanwhile managed just 42 yards on its final three drives of the half, all which resulted in punts.
LSU’s defense forced a turnover in the third quarter when Jay Ward knocked the ball out of Alabama wide receiver Slade Bolden’s hands. Derek Stingley Jr. recovered it and gave the Tigers the ball.
The Crimson Tide’s defense would swipe it right back as LSU tight end Arik Gilbert had the ball taken out of his hands by Alabama’s Christopher Allen.
Alabama scored moments later as Harris ran it in from 11 yards out. LSU responded with a 10-play, 41-yard drive which ended with a 52-yard field goal by Cade York.
Alabama would add a 34-yard field goal by Reichard in the fourth to extend its lead 55-17.
Big Number I: 650
Alabama piled up 634 yards of offense against LSU’s defense which was the most yards LSU’s defense had given up this season, surpassing the previous high of 632 by Mississippi State in the season opener.
Big Number II: 55
Alabama’s 55 points in Saturday’s game is the most scored by either team in the rivalry series which dates back to 1895. The previous highest point total was a 47-3 win by Alabama in 1922.
Player of the Game: Kayshon Boutte
The former Westgate High star was one of the few bright spots for the Tigers. Boutte led all Tiger receivers with eight receptions for 110 yards. Even though he fumbled the ball at the goal line on a 43-yard reception, the Tigers still recovered it in the end zone.
Next Up: LSU (3-5) will play at No. 6 Florida (8-1) on Saturday. Kickoff has yet to be announced.