Davey, Reed Shatter Records in 35-21 Win Over Bama
11/03/01



TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Rohan Davey set the school record with 528 passing yards and Josh Reed set the school and Southeastern Conference records with 19 catches for 293 yards, as the LSU football team put forth an offensive show in a 35-21 victory over Alabama on Saturday night.

LSU improved to 5-3 overall and 3-3 in SEC play, while Alabama fell to 3-5 overall and 2-4 in the SEC. The Tigers racked up 611 yards of total offense, while holding the Crimson Tide to 383 including 209 passing -- a season low by an LSU opponent.

Overshadowed in the record-shattering performances was LaBrandon Toefield's three touchdowns on 23 carries with a sore Achilles. Toefield rushed for 73 yards and earned his 13th score of the season. The Tigers were without the services of return specialist and backup running back Domanick Davis, who re-injured his ankle on a kickoff early in the game.

Davey also set the school record for completions, as he finished 35-of-44 passing with two touchdowns and an interception in the red zone on a tipped ball. Reed caught one of Davey's touchdowns and Jerel Myers had the other.

The score was not reflective of the Tigers' dominance, as LSU had two turnovers in the red zone and a muffed punt that led to an Alabama score.

On its first two drives of the game, the Tigers took the ball 66 and 87 yards, respectively, to take a 14-0 lead with 2:15 remaining the first quarter.

After electing to give the Crimson Tide the ball to start the game, the LSU defense forced an Alabama three-and-out to take over at its own 34-yard line. Aided by an Alabama personal foul and a holding penalty, the Tigers marched down the field with a fix of short passes and running plays by LaBrandon Toefield.

Toefield's 3-yard touchdown run with 10:25 remaining was his 11th of the season.

After holding Alabama at midfield, the LSU offense took over at its own 12, but mounted an 88-yard drive that featured Davey throughout. The senior team captain completed six passes for 79 yards including a 34-yard touchdown strike to Jerel Myers over the middle. LSU led 14-0 with 2:15 remaining in the first quarter.

Alabama mounted a drive of its own, getting to the LSU 6-yard line before having to settle for a 23-yard Neal Thomas field goal. Alabama cut the lead to 14-3 with 11:20 remaining in the half.

With Domanick Davis on the sidelines with an ankle injury, Reed was sent back to receive punts. The Crimson Tide capitalized on a poorly muffed punt by Reed to take over at the LSU 42. Three plays later, the Tide cut the lead to 14-10 after a 5-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Watts to tight end Terry Jones.

With under two minutes remaining in the first half, Davey again passed the ball down the field for an apparent score. However, the LSU offensive line was flagged for holding and a 27-yard touchdown to Reed was negated. Placekicker John Corbello then missed a 44-yard field goal attempt with under a minute remaining.

To start the second half, Davey came out wide-eyed and throwing. The Miami native completed five straight passes for 78 yards and then handed the ball to Toefield for his 12th score of the season and second of the game from two yards out. LSU led 21-10 after the six-play, 80-yard drive that took only 2:13.

Watts then guided Alabama to the LSU 16-yard line before the LSU defense stiffened to force a 35-yard field goal by Thomas. The Crimson Tide trailed 21-13 with 8:49 left in the third quarter.

On ensuing drive, Reed tied and broke the LSU single-game record for receptions with his 15th, ironically coming on his only negative-yard reception of the game. One play later, Reed caught a post from Davey and looked toward the endzone to score. However, the ball was knocked away from him at the 15-yard line and recovered by Alabama in the endzone for a touchback. The 47-yard reception by Reed gave him a school-record 252 yards receiving, breaking Todd Kinchen's record of 248 against Mississippi State in 1991.

Alabama again capitalized on an LSU turnover to tie the game at 21-21 with 3:38 remaining in the third quarter. The Crimson Tide went 80 yards in six plays in under three minutes, culminated by Watts' 22-yard option touchdown around the right side.

Davey and Reed answered the call once again, this time actually crossing the goal line as the duo hooked up for a 25-yard touchdown just before the end of the third quarter. Reed broke the Southeastern Conference records with his 18th reception and 282 yards, while Davey moved into first place in LSU's single-game passing yards list with 472. Davey also moved into sixth place on LSU's career passing yards list with 3,353.

The Tigers continued their offensive dominance on the next drive, as Davey connected with Clayton for a tip-toeing first-down grab on third-and-9. Later, Toefield went in to the endzone from 5-yards out to give LSU a 35-21 lead.

LSU returns to action on Nov. 10 when it plays host to Middle Tennessee State on Homecoming.