Alabama vs. LSU final score: Tigers down Tide in game worthy of 'Game of the Century' moniker

Zac Al-Khateeb

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Alabama vs. LSU final score: Tigers down Tide in game worthy of 'Game of the Century' moniker image

What looked like a blowout quickly turned into a matchup worthy of the moniker "Game of the Century" on Saturday.

LSU won a 46-41 thriller in Bryant-Denny Stadium; fittingly, it is the Tigers' first win in this series since the 2011 "Game of the Century" between these teams.

MORE: How Alabama's loss to LSU means for Playoff race

It appeared in the first half as if LSU would run Alabama out of its own stadium. The Tigers took a 33-13 lead into halftime on the strength of Joe Burrow, who completed 18 of 20 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns. That was compounded by some uncharacteristic mistakes by Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa (11 of 19 passing, 172 yards, one touchdown, one interception, one fumble).

The game suddenly became a race to the finish line in the second half, however, with LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire providing the final push the Tigers needed for the win. Edwards-Helaire finished with 20 carries for 103 yards and three rushing touchdowns; he also had nine receptions for 77 yards and another touchdown. Najee Harris was equally brilliant for the Tide, putting up 146 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries and 44 yards and another score on three receptions.

In all, Burrow finished 31 of 39 through the air for 393 yards and three touchdowns, while Tagovailoa completed 21 of 40 passes for 418 yards, with four touchdowns and an interception.

Sporting News provided live scores, updates and highlights from this massive No. 1-vs.-No. 2 "Game of the Century."

Alabama vs. LSU score

  1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q F
Alabama 7 6 7 21 41
LSU 10 23 0 13 46

Alabama vs. LSU scoring plays

First quarter

(9:15) — LSU quarterback Joe Burrow 33-yard touchdown pass to Ja'Marr Chase (7-0 LSU)

(4:54) — LSU kicker Cade York 40-yard field goal (10-0 LSU)

(1:14) — Alabama receiver Jaylen Waddle 77-yard punt return for touchdown (10-7 LSU)

Second quarter

(13:03) — LSU quarterback Joe Burrow 29-yard touchdown pass to Terrace Marshall Jr., PAT blocked (16-7 LSU)

(6:43) — Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa 64-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith, PAT failed (16-13 LSU)

(4:20) — LSU kicker Cade York 44-yard field goal (19-16 LSU)

(0:27) — LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire 1-yard touchdown run (26-13 LSU)

(0:06) — LSU quarterback Joe Burrow 13-yard touchdown pass to Clyde Edwards-Helaire (33-13)

Third quarter

(4:51) — Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa 15-yard touchdown pass to Najee Harris (33-20 LSU)

Fourth quarter

(14:33) — Alabama running back Najee Harris 1-yard touchdown run (33-27 LSU)

(10:07) — LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire 5-yard touchdown run, 2-point attempt failed (39-27 LSU)

(5:32) — Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa 5-yard touchdown pass to Jerry Jeudy (39-34 LSU)

(1:37) — LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire 7-yard touchdown run (46-34 LSU)

(1:21) — Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa 85-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith (46-41 LSU)

Alabama vs. LSU highlights

Final: LSU 46, Alabama 41

7:29 p.m.: Final stats from this doozy of a game:

Bama-LSU final stats

7:22 p.m.: Edwards-Helaire gets a 12-yard gain on first down, meaning LSU can sit on the ball for the rest of the game. There's 1:12 remaining in the game.

7:21 p.m.: LSU recovers the onside kick at the 50, and that should do it.

7:20 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, ALABAMA. Tagovailoa hits Smith for a 85-yard touchdown. Tide are still in it if they can get the ensuing onside kick. It's 46-41 LSU.

7:16 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, LSU. Edwards-Helaire powers through for a 7-yard touchdown to make it 46-34 LSU. That might do it.

7:15 p.m.: Burrow keeps it on the read for an 18-yard pick-up. LSU has it at Alabama's 7 and that might do it with time winding down to less than two minutes.

7:12 p.m.: It only takes LSU one play to get into Tide territory on the Tigers' ensuing drive. Burrow hits Chase for a 29-yard gain out to the Bama 46.

7:08 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, ALABAMA. Tide convert another fourth down, this time good for a touchdown. Tagovailoa hits Jeudy for a 5-yard gain for a touchdown in the out route. That makes it 39-34 LSU.

7:06 p.m.: Waddle gets it to 5-yard line. Tide can get a first down without a touchdown.

7:02 p.m.: Tagovailoa hits Smith for the slant. He gets 8 yards to the 14-yard line. Tide are still alive. LSU safety Jacoby Stevens is down on the field.

7:01 p.m.: Tide face fourth-and-4 from LSU's 22.

6:59 p.m.: Tide convert on third-and-1 near midfield with another big pass. Tagovailoa hits Smith this time, giving Alabama a fresh set of downs at the 28-yard line.

6:57 p.m.: Alabama converts on third-and-19 with a 27-yard strike to Henry Ruggs. Alabama's driving out to its 42-yard line.

6:50 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, LSU. Edwards-Helaire does the rest for a 5-yard touchdown. Burrow attempts to hit Edwards-Helaire for the 2-point conversion, but it's still 39-27 LSU.

6:50 p.m.: Burrow gains 10 yards on the third-down keeper to get to the 5-yard line.

6:47 p.m.: This incredible play by Edwards-Helaire gives LSU another set of downs at the Alabama 25. Tigers facing third-and-5 two plays later, and right tackle Austin Deculus is down on the field.

6:38 p.m.: Harris has 16 carries for 131 yards and a touchdown, plus three receptions for 44 yards and another score. He's feeling it.

6:37 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, ALABAMA. Two plays later, Harris takes it 1 yard out for the touchdown to make it 33-27 LSU.

6:34 p.m.: Harris is feeling it. He takes it 12 yards to the 1-yard line on that fourth-down carry.

6:31 p.m.: Bama faces third-and-inches from LSU's 14. Decision time upcoming for Nick Saban.

6:28 p.m.: Bama driving at the 21-yard line thanks to some strong running by Harris and big 32-yard catch by DeVonta Smith.

6:25 p.m.: Bama defense comes up strong again, forcing a punt and taking over at its 22.

6:19 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, ALABAMA. Tagovailoa hits Harris out of the backfield with a back-shoulder throw for a 15-yard touchdown. A beautiful connection that makes it 33-20 LSU.

6:17 p.m.: Harris dances around in the backfield on third-and-2 but manages to get a 5-yard gain for the first down. LSU defensive end Glen Logan leaves with an injury.

6:15 p.m.: Tagovailoa has all day on third-and-10 from LSU's 49 and hits Henry Ruggs III for a 22-yard gain out to the Tigers' 27.

6:12 p.m.: Jeudy drops a sure touchdown and looks to be cramping up a little bit. He's heading off the field. The safety who was covering him, Kary Vincent Jr., is also down on the field.

6:11 p.m.: Tagovailoa looking a little ginger on the field. ESPN's telecast shows Mac Jones warming up on the sideline.

6:10 p.m.: And Harris gets Alabama another big gain, this time off the screen. He takes it 23 yards to the Alabama 44.

6:09 p.m.: Alabama has it first-and-25 at its 20 after illegal hands to the face is called on the Tide. Defensive end Neil Farrell Jr. limps off the field after that play.

6:09 p.m.: Bama forces another punt, but takes the ball at its 4-yard line. Najee Harris gives the Crimson Tide room to breathe with a 31-run out to the 35-yard line.

6:02 p.m.: This play makes it fourth-and-1 LSU. What a nifty play by Burrow.

5:57 p.m.: Alabama linebacker Anfernee Jennings was down on the field after the last play. He limped off the field and headed to the tent. Trainers are looking at his left leg. LSU driving at its 48.

5:53 p.m.: LSU takes over at its 20 after forcing a three-and-out on Alabama.

5:51 p.m.: Fumble recovery, Alabama. Xavier McKinney forces what's ruled a rumble on Burrow off the corner blitz, and linebacker Terrell Lewis snags it out of the air. Alabama takes over at its 42.

5:49 p.m.: Alabama is getting gashed on the ground now, too. Edwards-Helaire has nice runs amounting to 31 yards to get LSU to Alabama's 36.

5:47 p.m.: LSU takes over at its 25. If the Tigers score here then that should do it.

Halftime: LSU 33, Alabama 13

5:27 p.m.: Halftime stats:

Alabama-LSU halftime stats

5:21 p.m: TOUCHDOWN, LSU. And that's exactly what the Tigers do. Burrow takes advantage of the short field and hits Edwards-Helaire for the 13-yard touchdown. It's 33-13 LSU.

5:18 p.m.: INTERCEPTION, LSU. Tagovailoa throws an interception to LSU linebacker Patrick Queen, who returns it to roughly the 25-yard line. Landon Dickerson is called for unsportsmanlike conduct on the ensuing return, giving LSU the ball at the 13. The Tigers could potentially score again before the half.

5:15 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, LSU. Clyde Edwards-Helaire jumps over the pile for a 1-yard touchdown with 27 seconds remaining. Tigers get the ball out of the second half, too. It's 26-13 LSU.

5:14 p.m.: Thaddeus Moss — Randy Moss' son — makes an acrobatic, toe-in touchdown at the Alabama 1-yard line. His foot touched out of bounds before he caught the ball, but officials ruled he reestablished himself before making the grab.

5:08 p.m.: Joe Burrow scrambles on two straight plays for a combined 30 yards to get LSU to Alabama's 31-yard line. Alabama didn't account for his running ability, there.

5:05 p.m.: LSU forces another three-and-out on Alabama and will get the ball back with roughly three minutes remaining in the half.

5:02 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, LSU. Cade York is money again, hitting a 44-yard field goal to make it 19-13 LSU.

5:01 p.m.: Alabama gets its third sack on Burrow on third-and-9 from the 19-yard line. Defensive linemen Christian Barmore and Raekwon Davis hit Burrow for a loss of 8 yards to bring the LSU field goal unit out.

4:58 p.m.: LSU wastes no time in getting into the red zone. Burrow is still perfect on the day.

4:54 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, ALABAMA. Another blown coverage, this time by LSU's Derek Stingley Jr., results in a big touchdown play for the Crimson Tide. Tagovailoa hits a wide-open DeVonta Smith for a 64-yard touchdown. A missed PAT by Joseph Bulovas, however, keeps the score 16-13 LSU.

4:51 p.m.: Alabama converts third-and-10 from the 10-yard line with a big gainer by Jerry Jeudy, who catches it at the 22 and takes it another 14 yards out to the Alabama 36. LSU nose tackle Tyler Shelvin heads to the injury tent after that play.

4:46 p.m.: LSU looked like it would go for it on fourth-and-1 from the Alabama 42, but a delay of game made it fourth-and-6. Zach Von Rosenberg's punt went out of bounds at Alabama's 10, where the Crimson Tide will take over. Also: Waddle was on the field to return the punt.

4:43 p.m.: Turnover on downs, Alabama. The play stands as called on the field, giving LSU the ball at its 49.

4:41 p.m.: Alabama brings out Slade Bolden to run the Wildcat on fourth-and-1 from LSU's 49-yard line. They bring out the chains and it appears Alabama doesn't have it. The play is under review.

4:36 p.m.: LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton is down after that play, though he stands up to allow trainers to look at him. Doesn't appear to be too serious.

4:35 p.m.: Alabama converts its first third down after Tagovailoa hits Jerry Jeudy for 20 yards to the Crimson Tide's 42-yard line.

4:33 p.m.: Alabama takes over at its 25. It's also worth noting that Waddle left the game after his punt return touchdown, heading to the locker room on his own power after the fact.

4:29 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, LSU. The Tigers have no problem marching downfield on the ensuing drive for the touchdown. Alabama had several blown assignments on that touchdown drive, allowing Burrow to hit a wide-open Terrace Marshall Jr. for a 29-yard touchdown. Burrow is 9 for 9 through the air for 146 yards and two touchdowns. A blocked PAT, however, makes it 16-7 LSU.

4:28 p.m.: LSU drives into Alabama's territory with a couple nice connections between Burrow and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (11 yards) and Justin Jefferson (17 yards).

First quarter: LSU 10, Alabama 7

4:18 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, ALABAMA. Jaylen Waddle gets Alabama on the board with an impressive 77-yard punt return for touchdown. LSU's Racey McMath slung him around by the facemask as soon as he caught the ball, but he spun out of it, followed his blocks and took it to the house to make 10-7 LSU.

4:17 p.m.: Anfernee Jennings' second sack of the day makes it third-and-16 from LSU's 22. Alabama keeps them from getting the necessary yardage on third down, forcing a punt.

4:12 p.m.: LSU forces another three-and-out on Alabama. Dave Aranda's dialing up some blitz packages for Tagovailoa who doesn't have enough time to find his receivers.

4:08 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, LSU. The Tigers are forced to settle for a field goal after Anfernee Jennings sacks Burrow for a 7-yard loss on second down. Burrow got a chunk of it back on third, setting up a 40-yard field goal from Cade York. It's 10-0 LSU.

4:02 p.m.: Turnover on downs, Alabama. LSU now has a short field after Alabama punter Ty Perine mishandled the snap and got hit for a big loss. Tigers take over at Alabama's 40.

3:59 p.m.: Alabama's out to LSU' 45-yard line after a quick 15-yard connection and 15-yard horse-collar penalty on LSU's Jacoby Stevens.

3:55 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, LSU. Tigers take advantage of the Tide's turnover and march 92 yards in six plays plays for a touchdown. Joe Burrow went 3 for 3 through the air for 74 yards, capped by a 33-yard touchdown to Ja'Marr Chase. It's 7-0 LSU.

3:50 p.m.: Fumble recovery, LSU. The Crimson Tide drove as far as LSU's 8-yard line, but Tagoaviloa fumbles on a scramble to give LSU the ball at its 8-yard line.

3:43 p.m.: Alabama starts the game with a 20-yard connection between Tua Tagovailoa and Henry Ruggs. He looks fine in the pocket.

3:41 p.m.: You can feel the electricity in the air. What an atmosphere.

Zac Al-Khateeb

Zac Al-Khateeb Photo

Zac Al-Khateeb has been part of The Sporting News team since 2015 after earning his Bachelor's (2013) and Master's (2014) degrees in journalism at the University of Alabama. Prior to joining TSN, he covered high school sports and general news in Alabama. A college sports specialist, Zac has been a voter for the Biletnikoff Award and Heisman Trophy since 2020.