The one that got away
January 10, 2012
Roy Ivey
January 13, 2012
As soon as it was announced that LSU would play Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game, the Tigers created a team-wide moniker: Leave No Doubt.
The saying was born and bred because national pundits touted LSU won their Nov. 5 road meeting with the Crimson Tide because of bells and whistles rather than skill or a dominant effort.
Indeed, LSU’s moniker came true the second time around n no doubt was left.
It just didn’t happen exactly the way the Tigers would have hoped.
Alabama was clearly the best team in the country on Jan. 9.
They are now the 2011 BCS National Champions n without a doubt.
Thanks to a combination of pesky, but efficient offense and massive, overwhelming defense, the Crimson Tide stormed into Louisiana and spoiled the state’s party Monday night, dominating LSU early and often in a 21-0 win.
The win marks the Tide’s second BCS National Championship in three seasons and ends the Tigers’ season with a 13-1 record.
Alabama will finish with one fewer win n a 12-1 mark.
But the coveted crystal trophy is again returning to Tuscaloosa n that’s both check and mate.
“I’m proud of our whole team,” a triumphant Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “Our defense did a great job. Our offense did a great job. Our offense controlled the ball, our defense kept them off the scoreboard and we were great on special teams. … It was a great effort.”
In the other locker room, a dejected Les Miles had nothing but regret and inner questioning, saying it’s his responsibility the Tigers fell flat in their biggest game of the season.
“I told my team I did not see this coming,” Miles said. “And that’s my fault. I wish I could have done something to help them. But for my players that worked their tails off that started in their career to put themselves in a position to win a game like that, I owe them a lot.
“We have to be better.”
LSU couldn’t even win the coin flip Monday, losing the toss to Alabama and taking the football first after the Crimson Tide deferred.
The Tigers’ first offensive possession was much like several throughout the game n a combination of miscues, penalties and poor execution.
LSU mustered just five first downs and 92 yards of total offense against the vaunted Crimson Tide defense, which is No. 1 in the country in every statistical metric.
When the Tigers did get momentum, they almost always stumbled on their own feet, committing several pre-snap penalties.
Senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson also fumbled two snaps in the game n both on third down plays that stalled drives.
“I don’t know if the adjustments that we made since November 5th were the right ones,” Miles admitted.
At the heart of LSU’s inept offensive play Jefferson, who ended his Tigers career completing 11-of-17 passes for just 53 yards and an interception.
But Miles shielded criticism from the senior quarterback and said his poor statistics were reflective of the entire unit’s bad play amidst a fierce Alabama defense.
The coach referenced that the Tigers rushed for just 39 yards on 27 carries, which consistently put LSU in long yardage situations.
“When you can’t run for first downs, suddenly, you’re completely behind in the chains,” Miles said. “Frankly, when you line up against that defense in an obvious passing situation, they come up to the line of scrimmage and get to the passer.”
Getting to the passer was something Alabama didn’t have to worry about on this day n their quarterback was on fire.
Crimson Tide sophomore A.J. McCarron rebounded from a shaky November performance against the Tigers, playing arguably his best game of his career.
The sophomore completed 23-of-34 passes for 234 yards.
McCarron didn’t have a touchdown, but more importantly, he didn’t have an interception, protecting the football against the Tigers’ hungry secondary.
“He made smart decisions,” LSU defensive back Eric Reid said. “He didn’t take any chances. He just didn’t turn the ball over. He did whatever he needed to do to put points on the board.”
The Crimson Tide’s points didn’t always come via touchdown n the first 15 actual were of the field goal variety.
The Tide took a 15-0 lead into the fourth quarter on the strength of five field goals by kicker Jeremy Shelley.
The ice finally broke in the fourth quarter when Alabama Heisman Trophy finalist Trent Richardson broke a 34-yard touchdown run to break LSU’s back.
“We finished this time,” Richardson said. “That was the difference.”
With the loss, LSU’s best season since 2007 ends with a mere runner-up finish.
But Miles said he urges fans to understand the accomplishments the Tigers had in 2011, touting that his team beat the Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl and National Champions all in the same season.
He added that he cannot wait until the next time he sees Alabama again, a meeting set for next fall in Alabama.
“We understand that they’ve won the last round,” Miles said. “We’ve got that figured out. But we’ll respond. We’ll respond. We’ll be better next time.”
Maybe then, the Mad Hatter will get a little revenge.
But on this night, the Tide rolled and left no doubt about the 2011 season’s top squad.
“This was a team win,” Saban reiterated. “Everybody contributed. … I’m proud of the effort. I’m proud of our accomplishment.”
