Coming up big in clutch

• By RICHARD LEE
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Nov 8, 2009

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Sometimes, all it takes is one play to change a game.

With 10:24 remaining in the fourth quarter, Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones made that play and may have saved the Crimson Tide’s season in the process.

An electrifying 73-yard touchdown reception by Jones proved to be the ultimate difference-maker for Alabama, allowing the Crimson Tide to remain unbeaten and clinch the Southeastern Conference’s West Division for the second consecutive year. It’s also the second consecutive year Alabama has clinched the SEC West following a win over LSU.

Jones, who finished the game with 102 yards on four catches, scored just his second touchdown of the year and sixth of his career. But none bigger against a team he has dominated the past two years.

“I did what I had to do to keep us on top,” Jones said. “Coach (Nick Saban) told us what the plan was; I just had to execute.”

With LSU leading 15-13 and Alabama’s undefeated season hanging in the balance, Jones made the type of play Crimson Tide fans have been yearning for all year.

Split wide left, Jones hauled in the quick screen pass from Greg McElroy at the Alabama 29-yard line. Offensive tackle James Carpenter shielded cornerback Brandon Taylor just enough to keep Jones out of Taylor’s grasp. From there, linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, who also had a shot at Jones, overran the play, allowing Jones to break free.

Once Jones reached the second level, there was nothing but green grass in front of him until he reached the end zone. The score, plus Trent Richardson’s two-point conversion, put Alabama on top for good.

“What’s funny,” McElroy said, “was Julio got mad. (Cornerback Patrick Peterson, who was out with an injury during the play) was doing some talking, and Julio didn’t like it very much. He just made a great play at a key moment for our team.”

Both Jones and McElroy talked about how the Crimson Tide had been practicing that particular play all week in preparation for LSU’s fast, over-pursuing defense.

“That was a throwback screen that Georgia had run (earlier in the year against LSU),” McElroy said. “They are really aggressive going to the ball, and we wanted to take advantage of that.”

Said Jones, “I expect to make those plays.”

It was a fitting moment for Jones and the offense.