Alabama beats LSU 31-13 behind three Russell TDs

Alabama defeated LSU 31-13 on Saturday at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.

Keelon Russell passed for three touchdowns despite an ankle injury to secure the victory for the ninth-ranked Crimson Tide.

Russell connected with Josh Ford on a 7-yard pass, Cederian Morgan on a 25-yard strike, and Kaleb Edwards on a 4-yard throw.

The quarterback said he pushed through the pain because he did not want to feel like he did not give the game his all.

"Through the grace of God, it was not a big injury," Russell said from the injury tent in the third quarter.

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer credited the team for making several critical stops on fourth down.

The Crimson Tide defense forced LSU to go 0 for 4 on fourth-down attempts during the contest.

Alabama also recorded a key interception by Luke Metz on the Alabama 24 in the first half.

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt completed 35 of 47 passes for 380 yards but threw his first interception in three games.

Leavitt was intercepted on a fourth-and-4 play from the Tide 10-yard line in the first half.

Alabama drove inside the LSU 45-yard line only twice in the first half.

Those drives resulted in a field goal by Conor Talty and a 1-yard touchdown run by Ryan Coleman-Williams on a misdirection play around the right end for a 10-3 halftime lead for Alabama. LSU kicker Scott Starzyk missed a 56-yard field goal attempt in the first half. LSU briefly took the lead in the second half when Dilin Jones ran for a 5-yard touchdown on an 11-play, 90-yard drive. Alabama answered in just 2 minutes and 8 seconds with Ford's touchdown reception. That score was set up by a 57-yard catch and run by Rico Scott. LSU right tackle Weston Davis was helped off the field favoring his right leg during the third quarter. First-year LSU coach Lane Kiffin made a controversial decision with eight minutes left by leaving his offense on the field on fourth-and-10 on the LSU 25. Leavitt was sacked on that play, and Alabama scored on the next three plays. Kiffin said he believed the team needed touchdowns to win and did not want to just punt to keep the score low. Kiffin now stands at 0-6 against Alabama in his coaching career, including previous stops at Mississippi and Tennessee. Alabama improved to 7-2 overall and 5-2 in the Southeastern Conference. LSU fell to 6-3 overall and 3-3 in the conference. The Crimson Tide has now won seven of its last eight games at Tiger Stadium. First Lady Melania Trump attended the game, joining a list of celebrities that included actor Kevin Costner, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, WNBA star Angel Reese, basketball hall of famer Shaquille O'Neal, and former LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne. Alabama visits Vanderbilt next Saturday. LSU hosts No. 10 Texas next Saturday.