LSU Offense Plays Like It Has Stomach Flu And Trails Alabama, 10-3, At The Half

By GLENN GUILBEAU, Tiger Rag Editor

No. 14 LSU trailed No. 5 Alabama, 10-3, at halftime on Saturday afternoon as the Tigers put the lowest point total for a first half in the first season of the Lane Kiffin era.

The Tigers came in averaging 17 points in the first half, including 31 two weeks ago at Auburn and 21 the previous weekend against Mississippi State. But all LSU could muster in front of a sold-out crowd of 102,321, including first lady Melania Trump, at Tiger Stadium was a 23-yard field goal by Scott Starzyk with 4:48 to go in the first quarter for a 3-3 tie after a 70-yard drive in 14 plays.

LSU outgained Alabama, 209 yards to 143, and quarterback Sam Leavitt completed 15 of 21 passes for 168 yards, while Alabama quarterback hit just 9 of 12 passes for 89 yards. But Leavitt threw a critical interception with 28 seconds to go in the first half as LSU faced a second and 19 at the Alabama 36-yard line.

The Tigers put up 13 first downs to only seven for the Tide, but LSU’s impressive drives ended as duds.

LSU’s field goal drive had reached a first and goal at Alabama 8-yard line, but two rushes netted three yards, and Leavitt threw incomplete on third down.

Starzyk missed a 56-yard field goal on the first play of the second quarter for LSU.

The Tigers drove from their 25 to a first down at the Alabama 15 late in the second quarter. But running back Dilin Jones lost two yards on first down. After Leavitt gained eight yards, he threw behind wide receiver Eugene Wilson III for an incompletion. On fourth and goal from the Tide 9, Leaviitt’s pass to tight end Trey’Dez Green was knocked away by defensive back Chuck McDonald.

LSU drove 35 yards in nine plays to the Alabama 36 before Leavitt’s interception by Alabama linebacker Luke Metz.

Per @LauraRutledge on ABC, LSU star tight end Trey’Dez Green is dealing with a stomach bug, which is why he suddenly popped up as questionable on the injury report. He’s available and expected to play. https://t.co/tw8pW9V1XD

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 7, 2026

Green started for the Tigers after being listed as questionable on Friday and caught four passes for 32 yards. ESPN’s Laura Rutledge reported that Green was listed as questionable on Friday because of the stomach flu.

Alabama took a 3-0 lead on the first possession of the game on a 43-yard field goal Conor Talty. The Tide took a 10-3 lead on a 1-yard touchdown run by receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams with 8:23 to play in the first half after a 62-yard drive in 11 plays.