Alabama Defense Leads Victory Over LSU

Alabama won its 700th game and Jay Barker became the school’s career passing leader as the sixth-ranked Crimson Tide defeated Louisiana State, 35-17, Saturday night.

Alabama, 9-0 overall and 6-0 in the SEC, converted two blocked punts and a fumble recovery into 21 points and assured an unprecedented sixth consecutive losing season for LSU (2-6, 2-5).

Alabama, playing its 100th season, is 700-237-44. Michigan leads major colleges with 745 victories and Notre Dame has 728.

Barker, who completed 6 of 11 passes for 130 yards and one touchdown, has passed for 5,006 yards, surpassing Scott Hunter’s mark of 4,899.

Sherman Williams carried 11 times for 99 yards and two touchdowns to pace Alabama’s ground game.

Alabama led, 28-3, at the half despite a big game by the LSU defense which limited the Crimson Tide to 37 yards rushing, recovered two fumbles, had two interceptions--one off Barker and one off Williams on a halfback pass--and sacked Barker once.

The Tide’s defense made it 7-0 on LSU’s first possession of the game when Robert Toomer fumbled and Sam Shade returned it 30 yards for a touchdown.

With 7:50 left in the half, Tommy Johnson blocked Mark Walker’s punt on the LSU 49. Roman Colburn grabbed the ball at the 33 and went into the end zone for a touchdown that made it 14-3.