LSU Ends Alabama’s Streak : SEC: Defending national champion suffers first defeat in 32 games, 17-13.

Alabama learned a lesson that might come in handy the next time it challenges for a national title.

The nation’s longest unbeaten streak ended at 31 games Saturday as Louisiana State capitalized on mistakes to upset the defending national champion, 17-13.

Fifth-ranked Alabama hadn’t lost since Sept. 14, 1991, when it was defeated by Florida, 35-0. The only blemish since was a 17-17 tie with Tennessee earlier this season.

“We’ve got to get off this cloud we’ve been on,” said Tarrant Lynch, who caught one of Alabama’s two touchdown passes. “If we are going to be national champions, then we need to play like it every game.”

Alabama, which is 7-1-1 overall and 4-1-1 in the Southeastern Conference, was a heavy favorite over LSU (4-5, 3-4). But four second-half interceptions led to two LSU touchdowns.

It was Coach Curley Hallman’s biggest victory in three seasons at LSU. The Tigers, who upset Mississippi last week, 19-17, hadn’t beaten Alabama since 1988.

“This puts LSU back on track,” said Ivory Hilliard, who intercepted two passes. “This is the greatest win I’ve ever been associated with.”

Alabama went through three quarterbacks as injured starter Jay Barker watched from the sideline in a baseball cap. All-purpose threat David Palmer led the Crimson Tide to its two touchdowns, but he could not rally Alabama to victory.

The first half was scoreless, and the Crimson Tide began falling apart early in the third quarter.

Brian Burgdorf, the starter, had a pass intercepted by Anthony Marshall at the Alabama 42 on the first possession of the half, and LSU’s Jay Johnson scored on a two-yard run six plays later.

Freshman Freddie Kitchens replaced Burgdorf on the Tide’s next possession, only to suffer the same fate.

With Alabama driving, Hilliard intercepted Kitchens’ pass at the LSU 24 and lateraled to Tory James, who returned it to the Alabama 42. A facemask penalty put the ball at the 37, and Robert Toomer capped a quick drive with a two-yard run to make the score 14-0.