LSU makes last big play

AUBURN, Ala. -- Louisiana State made the final big play, and as usual that’s what settled the annual down-to-the-wire clash with Auburn.

This time the winning connection wasn’t Flynn to Byrd, but Lee to LaFell.

Jarrett Lee and Brandon LaFell hooked up on an 18-yard touchdown pass with 1:03 left to lift No. 6 LSU to another dramatic comeback win over No. 10 Auburn, 26-21, Saturday in an Southeastern Conference showdown that once again produced a fantastic finish and wild momentum swings.

The last five meetings have been decided by a collective 19 points in a rivalry that has produced more than drama. The winner has gone to the SEC championship game in six of the last eight seasons.

And last year, Matt Flynn’s last-second touchdown pass to Demetrius Byrd helped propel LSU to a national title.

“We expected such a battle when we came here,” LSU Coach Les Miles said. “I thought they showed great poise. To be tested away and be tested by a very, very capable opponent and answering that test is just what this team needed.”

The only major difference in this one was the road team came out on top. The last eight games in the series had gone to the home team. LSU (3-0, 1-0 ) also ended Auburn’s streak of six consecutive victories at Jordan-Hare Stadium against top-10 teams.

Lee took over for an injured Andrew Hatch in the third quarter and produced a series of big plays to make up for a lousy start for LSU. Lee missed his first five throws, with an interception returned by defensive end Gabe McKenzie for a touchdown.

Auburn (3-1, 1-1) moved to LSU’s 47 on the final drive, with help from Rahim Alem’s roughing-the-passer penalty. Alem atoned with a sack of Chris Todd to recoup the loss.

Todd’s desperation fourth-and-25 pass to Rod Smith came up short of the first down.

“We had the ballgame,” Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville said. “ . . . We’ve got a disappointed bunch of guys in the locker room. We felt like the way we played at times, we should have won it. They made a few more plays than we did.”