Monday 9 January 2012

Special teams plays big role in Alabama's title victory

Through the years, it hasn’t been wise to challenge two institutions in the Crescent City: Andrew Jackson and LSU.


Jackson used a celebrated War of 1812 victory against the British in New Orleans to become a game-changing president.


The Tigers, who won the 2003 and 2007 Bowl Championship Series title games in the city, were hoping to add a third Monday.


It took a coach with LSU roots to do it, but the Tigers were denied. No. 2 Alabama ended No. 1 LSU’s run in this Battle of New Orleans with a 21-0 victory in a rematch of their Nov. 5 meeting, which the Tigers won 9-6 in overtime.


It was the second national championship in the last three years and the ninth since 1961 for the Crimson Tide (12-1), which is coached by Nick Saban, who led LSU to its 2003 championship. Saban became the first coach to win three BCS national titles.


‘‘What I feel great about is the players,’’ Saban said, ‘‘and the way they responded to the terrible pain and disappointment we experienced the first time we lost to a very good LSU team. I’m also .  .  . happy and proud for the people in our community, who have been through so much with the tornado. I hope this lifts their spirits.’’


Alabama kicker Jeremy Shelley made five field goals, tying the record for any bowl game. His seven field-goal attempts were also an all-bowls record.


Shelley was responsible for cashing in on the opportunities with points that he and Foster could not in the first game. He hit a 23-yard field goal to open the scoring in the first quarter. After his second kick was blocked, he added boots of 34 and 41 yards in the first half.


He added two more after intermission to tie a bowl record with five field goals in a game and provide all of the scoring until a late touchdown by Trent Richardson.


"Hitting five in a game like this, it's unbelievable. I can't imagine anything being more gratifying," Shelley said.


His first field goal was set up by a 49-yard punt return by Marquis Maze. In its prior 13 games, LSU had allowed just 6 yards on punt returns all season.


Christian Jones later returned another punt 15 yard to set up another of Shelley's field goal.


Almost as important was Alabama's kick coverage. LSU trailed early against Arkansas and Georgia in its two previous games before Tyrann Mathieu returned punts for touchdowns to turn the tide.


Mathieu had one punt return for 1 yard and Morris Claiborne only averaged 22 yards on kickoff returns as the Tide were the ones to put the Tigers in bad field position all night.


About the only criticism would be a late missed extra point by Shelley after Richardson's score. He, however, was able to laugh it off in the afterglow of the win.


"It was a great opportunity for us and I'm just really glad and enthused we took advantage of it," Shelley said.

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