Crimson Tide Wins 14th National Championship, 21-0, Over LSU

January 10, 2012

A staunch defensive effort, combined with a record-setting night from kicker Jeremy Shelley, propelled the University of Alabama football team to its 14th national championship with a 21-0 victory over LSU Monday night in the BCS National Championship Game.

The Crimson Tide’s defense held LSU to just 92 total yards and five first downs as Defensive Player of the Game Courtney Upshaw and Jerrell Harris each had seven tackles. As a unit, the defense had 11 tackles for loss, four sacks and an interception.

“I think it’s a great team win,” UA head coach Nick Saban said. “Our offense controlled the tempo of this game. We did a great job on special teams. It was just a great team win for every guy here, every fan that we have, every supporter of this program. This is great for Alabama.”

Fifteen of UA’s 21 points came from the leg of kicker Jeremy Shelley, who converted on a bowl-record five field goals from 23, 34, 41, 35 and a career-long 44 yards. The defense provided the offense with excellent field position all evening and quarterback AJ McCarron did a masterful job under center completing 23-of-34 passes for 234 yards to earn Offensive Player of the Game honors.

“We knew that he [McCarron] was going to have to play well because we knew that we were going to throw the ball,” Saban said of his quarterback. “He showed great leadership and poise in making good decisions.”

Thanks to Shelley, the Tide carried a 15-0 lead into the final quarter when LSU mounted its first legitimate charge after being held to just 55 yards in the previous three quarters. Upon crossing midfield for the first time all game, the drive stalled and left the Tigers facing 4th and 18 to gain on the UA 40. The Tide defense came through again as Dont’a Hightower sacked LSU’s Jordan Jefferson and knocked the ball loose at the 50-yard line. Nick Gentry fell on the fumble to end the drive and set the UA offense up at midfield with 6:15 left in the contest.

Four plays later, Pensacola’s Trent Richardson (pictured left) raced 34 yards for the first touchdown of the game and the Heisman Trophy semifinalist finished with 96 yards on 20 carries and 107 all-purpose yards.

Alabama put up the first points of the game when Shelley capped off a five-play, 20-yard drive with a 23-yard field goal with five minutes left in the first quarter. Shelley would come up big for the Tide on two more occasions in the first half, connecting from 34 and 41 yards to give Alabama a 9-0 lead at the break.

Alabama held LSU to one first down throughout the first half, while collecting 13 of its own. The Tide also collected 156 total yards compared to the Tigers’ 26 total yards in the first 30 minutes.

The title is the Tide’s 14th in program history adding to the national championships won in 1925, 1926, 1930, 1934, 1941, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1992, 2009 and 2011. The Crimson Tide finished the 2011 season with a 12-1 record. The combined record of UA’s 14 national championship teams stands at 157-7-2.

Pictured top: Alabama Coach Nick Saban celebrates the BCS National Championship Monday night in New Orleans. Pictured top inset: AJ McCarron was named the BCS National Championship Game Offensive Player of the Game. Pictured bottom inset: Escambia High School graduate Trent Richardson scored the only touchdown in the game for the Tide. Photos by Kent Gidley, University of Alabama, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Article courtesy the University of Alabama.

Comments

22 Responses to “Crimson Tide Wins 14th National Championship, 21-0, Over LSU”

  1. Vance on January 13th, 2012 4:00 pm

    Just like the shirt says ..We Won the game that counted !! Got 14 ….We do ..Proud to hear the pre printed Lsu National Champs shirts will be sent back to the vendors and will be donated oversees to the needy …

  2. Sktmax on January 11th, 2012 3:01 pm

    Heres a fact for you…However many titles you want bama to have, its still more than anyone else. Roll Tide

  3. JM on January 11th, 2012 11:45 am

    Okay 1st of all to Realist……you cant believe everything you here on the internet!!!!!!!! Alabama beat LSU both times!!!! Just the first time it wasnt on the score board!!! Monday night they did amazing and well LSU didnt so i guess the only thing left to say it ROLL TIDE BABY ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!! And i didnt get my shirt at Wal-Mart!!!

  4. Bamalover on January 11th, 2012 7:57 am

    REALIST…… Here is the NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP LIST….. http://www.ncaa.com/history/football/fbs On that list going back to 1869 you can count ALABAMAS name 12 times…. So before you jump on the bandwagon of people making up stuff, do your research.

  5. welder on January 10th, 2012 5:56 pm

    Great job bama, and the title stays with the SEC !!!!!

  6. Get over it! on January 10th, 2012 3:06 pm

    Look, LSU played a good game 1st game…On the other hand Alabama didn’t. This game Alabama played good, and LSU didn’t. It’s a no fair win either way.
    Im a fan of neither team…War Eagle!! (:

    #Congratulations Alabama!!!

  7. Auburn Fan on January 10th, 2012 3:01 pm

    I am an Auburn fan and always have been, however Alabama played a flawless game last night. LSU was out coached and out played. Congrats to all the Alabama players, coaches, and fans on a job well done. Please allow Alabama to enjoy thier National Championship as they EARNED it!!

  8. Realist on January 10th, 2012 2:47 pm

    How exactly am I “hating?” By stating facts? I am not a fan of either team, in fact my alma mater is pretty mediocre at football. I was simply correcting the ignorance of some fans. Alabama has by far the most unrealistic, obstinate fan base in the country. So since I like to use real facts I will say 9, which, don’t get me wrong is a great achievement.

    Simply pointing out that Alabama fans will always grace us with brilliant statements like “JR’s” : “Alabama won the first match up every where except the scoreboard. ”

    Thank you for proving my point JR.

  9. JW on January 10th, 2012 1:56 pm

    REAUXLL TIDE REAUXLL!!!

    Can you say MUD HOLE STOMPIN’?…..and walked it dry!

    And by the way, ALL fans can be obnoxious!

    @Realist, dude, be a good sport, don’t hate.

    14….9…whatever, RTR!!!

  10. JR on January 10th, 2012 1:52 pm

    Alabama won the first match up every where except the scoreboard. Roll Tide Roll. What a beatdown LSU took last night! Both physically and mentaly.

  11. Bill2 on January 10th, 2012 1:29 pm

    RJay I am an Alabama fan and you are right some of us can be obnoxious ,but I am still glad we won

  12. Kelly on January 10th, 2012 11:36 am

    RTR!!!!

  13. RJay on January 10th, 2012 11:28 am

    Congratulations. It was a good win, and by the way I am NOT an Alabama or an LSU fan. But, honestly, sometimes you Bama fans can be obnoxious.

  14. RTR on January 10th, 2012 11:02 am

    ROLLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3

  15. camdenrenee on January 10th, 2012 10:33 am

    ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!

  16. Neighbor on January 10th, 2012 9:30 am

    To Realist: You can just say nine if you want, it doesn’t matter. Bama has as many National Championships in two years as Auburn has ever won. ROLL TIDE!!

  17. sam on January 10th, 2012 8:01 am

    hey realist: you a closet lsu fan? ROLL TIDE

  18. JA on January 10th, 2012 7:40 am

    OK realist, who really cares, if you want to say 9, say 9, still Alabama has more National Championships than anyone else. If Auburn wants to count 2004, thats ok with me too, 14>3. Roll Tide!

  19. Realist on January 10th, 2012 7:33 am

    Congratulations. Too bad Alabama fans can’t do math. If Alabama “lives football” it also “creates national championships that don’t exist.” You know those “14 natonal championships ?” Five of them are made up. That’s right, in 1981 the athletic department added 5 national championships not recognized by the NCAA. Including a year that Alabama finished 21st in the nation, but Alabama claimed that “one loss was in the rain and the other was very close.” Don’t believe me? Read facts here… http://www.outkickthecoverage.com/which-is-more-legit-bamas-13-national-titles-or-kim-jong-ils-11-holes-in-one.php

    So now you can throw away your pointless ” got 14 shirts” you bought at Wal-Mart.

  20. Roll Tide on January 10th, 2012 7:32 am

    Roll Tide Baby!!!

  21. Bama Girl on January 10th, 2012 6:52 am

    14 time National Champions. Just goes to show that “some people play football, at Alabama we LIVE it!!!!!”

  22. baebae on January 10th, 2012 5:10 am

    WHAT ELSE CAN YOU SAY BUT “ROLL TIDE” I knew they could do it …they had something to prove….and they did it…..congratulations ALABAMA

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports