But before that, LSU lost the game the first time by failing to get one more first down. The Tigers, leading 17-14 with 7:20 to play in the game, drove from their 18-yard line to the Alabama 32 while collecting three first downs and making Alabama use all of its timeouts by the 2:28 mark. After quarterback Zach Mettenberger topped off the best game of his career with a 22-yard completion to wide receiver Odell Beckham for that last first down, though, LSU coach Les Miles went to the ground game exclusively. Only then did Alabama stop the drive, forcing a field goal attempt on fourth and six from the Tide's 28. Drew Alleman missed it. Alabama took over with 1:34 left and drove 72 yards in five plays and 49 seconds for the win. "It's still killing me that we didn't finish that last drive getting the first down when we needed it," LSU offensive tackle Josh Dworaczyk said. "To give the ball back to Alabama's offense with the things that they were capable of doing on that last drive, I think those are the kinds of things they've been doing all year long. It's a huge emotional swing. We wanted to close off that last drive."