left . `` I am happy and proud of my players , the way they responded to the pain and disappointment of losing the last time , '' Saban said Alabama 's offense was dealt a huge blow early in the game . Kick returner Marquis Maze injured his leg in the second quarter after running a 49-yard punt return . Maze , who is also Alabama 's big-play wide receiver , left the game and never returned . But Alabama was able to overcome the loss and moved the ball up and down the field all game long , to the chagrin of the thousands of purple-and-gold-clad LSU fans who packed the Superdome in New Orleans . By the fourth quarter , the stands seemed like a sea of crimson as Alabama fans celebrated . The loss ends LSU 's undefeated streak , `` My locker room is hurting right now , '' LSU coach Les Miles said after the game . `` We did not get it going offensively at all . Our defense was on the field a long time.Give credit to our opponents on that . It became very hard to get first downs . This
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Alabama exacted revenge and clinched the Bowl Championship Series title on Monday night , besting Louisiana State University 21-0 . The Crimson Tide cleared up past problems with its special teams , kicking five field goals to become champions of college football . Alabama 's stifling defense battered LSU the entire game , holding the Tigers to just five first downs . `` It was great team win . Our defense did a good job . Our offense controlled the momentum and our special teams played well , '' Alabama coach Nick Saban said . Monday 's game was a far cry from the two Southeastern Conference rivals ' last showdown . Both teams went into that game on November 5 undefeated . College football pundits dubbed it the game of the century and Alabama lost 9-6 in overtime . In that game , Alabama missed four field goals , including one in overtime . This time , Alabama 's kicker Jeremy Shelley hit five field goals , giving Alabama a commanding 15-0 lead in the fourth quarter . Crimson Tide 's star running back Trent Richardson broke a 34-yard touchdown with less than five minutes