2012 SEASON REVIEW

ALABAMA 41, MICHIGAN 14

In thumping the preseason No. 8 team, Alabama unveiled to a national television audience what its team was going to be all about. AJ McCarron threw for two touchdowns, T.J. Yeldon ran for 111 yards in his college debut and the Tide had command early, leading 31-0 in the second quarter.

ALABAMA 35, WESTERN KENTUCKY 0

The Tide was methodical in taking out the Hilltoppers. In addition to getting a shutout, the defense forced four turnovers. McCarron took care of the offense by throwing for four touchdowns.

ALABAMA 52, ARKANSAS 0

Bama entered Southeastern Conference play with another dominant performance by its defense, which held the Razorbacks to 137 yards and took the ball away five times. It was Bama’s largest margin of victory in an SEC game in 64 years.

ALABAMA 40, FLORIDA ATLANTIC 7

The Tide lost its chance for a third consecutive shutout when the Owls scored a touchdown against backups midway through the fourth quarter. The outcome, though, had long since been decided, as the Tide scored on all of its first-half possessions to take a 30-0 halftime lead.

ALABAMA 33, OLE MISS 14

This is the closest thing Bama has had to a competitive game. The Rebels provided Bama’s only deficit to date by grabbing a 7-6 lead early in the second quarter. It lasted exactly 15 seconds and ended when Christion Jones returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown.

ALABAMA 42, MISSOURI 10

Only a 40-minute, second-quarter delay because of lightning interrupted the Tide’s march over the Tigers. Eddie Lacy ran for a career-high 176 yards and three touchdowns, and Yeldon ran for 144 yards and two touchdowns.

ALABAMA 44, TENNESSEE 10

Bama’s offense took center stage as McCarron passed for a career-high 306 yards and four touchdowns, freshman Amari Cooper caught seven passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns and Yeldon rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns.

ALABAMA 38, MISSISSIPPI STATE 7

In a battle between SEC West unbeatens, the Tide made it clear early that the Bulldogs would be the ones leaving Bryant-Denny Stadium with a defeat, scoring touchdowns on their first three drives on their way to a 24-0 halftime edge.

LSU 41, NORTH TEXAS 14

LSU’s game-week routine was disrupted by Hurricane Isaac, but the Tigers had little trouble with the Mean Green. Kenny Hilliard ran for a career-high 141 yards and two touchdowns to lead a ground game that totaled 315 yards.

LSU 41, WASHINGTON 3

The Tigers defense swarmed around Keith Price, the Huskies’ talented quarterback, sacking him four times and limiting Washington to 183 total yards. The Huskies’ only points came after they recovered Odell Beckham Jr.’s fumble on the opening kickoff at the LSU 16.

LSU 63, IDAHO 14

Zach Mettenberger had his most productive day of the season, completing 17 of 22 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns, though he threw an interception and was sacked three times. Ronald Martin and Lavar Edwards each returned interceptions for touchdowns.

LSU 12, AUBURN 10

LSU hit the road for its SEC opener and escaped with a win. The Tigers grabbed a quick 9-0 lead, but the offense went stagnant as Auburn grabbed a 10-9 lead. Drew Alleman’s 30-yard field goal made the difference.

LSU 38, TOWSON 22

LSU overcame three lost fumbles (out of five) and 10 penalties to hold off a determined Towson team. Mettenberger and Beckham teamed on touchdown passes of 27 and 53 yards, and Russell Shepard had a 78-yard scoring run.

FLORIDA 14, LSU 6

The Gators beat the Tigers at their own game, smothering the LSU offense and wearing down the defense with a relentless running game. Mike Gillislee ran for 146 yards and the only two touchdowns in the game. LSU had just 200 yards, committed three turnovers and possessed the ball for just 22 minutes, 36 seconds.

LSU 23, SOUTH CAROLINA 21

LSU’s offensive line, playing without three starters, rose to the occasion to get the better of the Gamecocks’ heralded defensive front. Freshman Jeremy Hill had 124 of the Tigers’ 258 rushing yards and scored twice. Eric Reid’s interception set up the winning score, and Craig Loston’s interception ended the game.

LSU 24, TEXAS A&M 19

The Tigers faced their largest deficit of the season as the Aggies took a 12-0 second-quarter lead, but the LSU defense turned the game around. LSU forced five turnovers and corralled Johnny Manziel, A&M’s elusive quarterback. Hill ran for a season-high 127 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown.