Game 9: LSU 41, Alabama 34
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Chad Jones, a Les Miles recruit, knocked the ball from the grasp of Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson to give LSU possession at the Crimson Tide 3-yard line with 99 seconds left.
Jacob Hester, a Nick Saban recruit, clutched the ball with both of his big hands as he went airborne over the goal line for the winning 1-yard touchdown run with 86 seconds left.
Then in the locker room after LSU’s 41-34 comeback victory over Alabama, Hester gave the game ball to Miles, the man who has coached him and trusted him more than anybody else for the final season of his college career.
With the football gods in a forgiving mood, the giving continued later. Florida State won at previously unbeaten and No. 2-ranked Boston College, opening the door for No. 3 LSU to possibly move into the all-important No. 2 spot in the BCS standings.
Quotable
“I think tonight he (Les Miles) really proved that he’s a great coach — one of the best in the country.”
JACOB HESTER, LSU running back
Play of the game
When 75 points are scored it’s hard to pick one, but it’s also hard to go against the play that set up LSU’s winning touchdown. On third-and-12 from the Alabama 30, LSU freshman safety Chad Jones sacked Crimson Tide quarterback John Parker Wilson on a blitz, forcing a fumble that LSU free safety Curtis Taylor recovered at the Alabama 3 with 1:39 remaining. On third-and-goal, Hester leaped over from the 1 for the winning TD with 1:26 left.
Game ball
To LSU coach Les Miles. Hey, his team gave him the game ball, why shouldn’t he get it here? “I said it proves how good a coach you are,” said Hester, who gave Miles the ball.
Game statistics
