Notes From Bama Loss To LSU

Alabama will be playing against a team coming off an open date for the second straight week on Saturday when Bama goes to Starkville to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs of Coach Sylvester Croom. State will be the fourth Alabama opponent this year to have an open date before playing the Tide. After Saturday night’s loss to LSU Bama is 1-2 this year in that situation.

Alabama now has lost eight of its last 12 games against LSU, dating back to 1997. Although Alabama has a commanding 43-23-5 record against the Fighting Tigers, since 1982 (the last year Paul Bryant was Alabama’s coach) the Bama record against LSU is 12-12-1. LSU has won five in a row from the Tide and four in a row in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama is now 2-2 this year against teams ranked in the nation’s top 25. LSU was ranked third in the nation coming into the game. Earlier this year Bama suffered a loss at the hands of Georgia and wins over Arkansas and Tennessee in contests against ranked teams.

LSU is 5-1 against ranked teams this year.

D.J. Hall didn’t have a huge day, but still moved up a little in the Southeastern Conference in all-time receiving yards. His first reception of the day -- a 67-yard touchdown -- moved him into ninth place on the SEC Career Receiving Yards list. That catch also extended Hall’s record of having a reception in 28 consecutive games. Even though he had only one additional catch for nine more yards, Hall continues to extend his Bama records for career receptions (now 179) and receiving yards (2,758). He is also one short of Dennis Homan’s record of 18 career touchdown receptions.

Keith Brown, who has been mostly a non-factor for Alabama this year, had two touchdown receptions against LSU. He now has three TD catches this year and 11 for his career.

Sophomore return specialist Javier Arenas had his third career punt return for a touchdown, tying the immortal Harry Gilmer for second on the Alabama career record. David Palmer has the Tide record with four. Arenas' 61-yard return was also his sixth return of the year of more than 45 yards (five punt returns and one kickoff runback).

Freshman cornerback Kareem Jackson had another outstanding performance. Jackson turned in an interception that he returned 51 yards to the LSU 35-yard line late in the second quarter. That that led to a to Bama touchdown and a 20-17 lead. Shortly afterwards, LSU was attempting a field goal on the last play of the first half to tie the game and Jackson blocked it.

There were a number of bowl representatives on hand to see the two highly-ranked teams. Among bowls with representatives in attendance were the Sugar, Orange, Cotton, Capital One, Outback, Chick-Fil-A, Liberty, and Independence.

Alabama captains were offensive guard Justin Britt, linebacker Darren Mustin, and safety Marcus Carter.

Honorary captains were representatives of the 1977 Alabama team, which was honored at halftime. The honorary captains were Dwight Stephenson, Lou Green, David Sadler, Bob Cryder and Jim Bunch.