This week, LSU beat writer Jace LeJeune ranks his top five moments of the 2022 season. He will post a moment each day this week from number five all the way to the number one moment of the season, which will be on Friday.
Today, we look back at the number one moment of the 2022 season and undoubtedly, it has to be LSU’s dramatic win over Alabama in Tiger Stadium. When somebody talks about legendary plays and moments in the history of the program, a lot of people talk about Billy Cannon’s Halloween Run, the Bluegrass Miracle, the Earthquake Game, and now, people will talk about Jayden Daniels’ game winning two point conversion to Mason Taylor in overtime to defeat the Crimson Tide.
As every team in the SEC knows, especially in the West, all roads to Atlanta go through Nick Saban and the juggernaut Alabama Crimson Tide. For LSU to defeat their arch nemesis with a brand new head coach in Brian Kelly, it is nothing short of incredible.
The Tigers entered the primetime top ten matchup on ESPN with a chance to seize control first place in the division.
It was a heavyweight fight as multiple lead changes occurred during the second half. After Alabama took a slight 9-7 lead at halftime, both offenses came to life in the second half. LSU had a slight 17-15 lead in the fourth quarter until Alabama quarterback Bryce Young pulled a Houdini act by escaping out of a sack and finding a wide open Ja’Corey Brooks to give the Crimson Tide back the lead.
However, Jayden Daniels, who is coming off his two best games as a Tiger against Florida and Ole Miss, was clutch in the final minutes leading the Tigers down the field and finding Mason Taylor for the go ahead touchdown to make it 24-21 with under two minutes left to play.
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner responded by marching the Crimson Tide offense in field goal range. Will Reichard made his fourth field goal to tie the game at 24 and send the game to overtime.
Alabama got the ball first and scored a touchdown to take a 31-24 lead, but as it has been the entire night, the LSU offense was unfazed and Jayden Daniels immediately responded with a 25 yard touchdown run on the first play.
With the score being 31-30, Brian Kelly decided to go for the win and the gamble certainly paid off as it led to what we all know was the best play of the Tigers’ season, which was the game winning two point conversion to give the Tigers the epic 32-31 win.
Not even seconds after the play, pandemonium ensues as the LSU fans rush the field in celebration.
After a rough start to the season when missing a game tying extra point against Florida State, Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers dramatically improved over the course of the season and it all came together when the team needed it most to capture a SEC West title with the game winning two point conversion.
Defeating a program that has been the epitome of college football and to do so in such dramatic fashion in one of the best atmospheres in all of college football is the number one moment in a season full of memorable moments for the 2022 LSU Tigers.
For the rest of the list, click below!
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