Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

Alabama's Julio Jones scored on a 73-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of the No. 3 Crimson Tide's 24-15 victory over No. 9 LSU on Saturday.

Alabama gave fans two things they covet in the process: The lead and big plays from Jones, who hasn’t made as many as he did in his fantastic freshman year.

He caught a short pass from McElroy, juked a defender and sprinted down the sideline for a touchdown.

“Put it in his hands, and you never know what’s going to happen,” McElroy said.

Then Richardson made it 21-15 Alabama.

Alabama forced the short-handed LSU offense into a three-and-out, then pushed the ball across midfield.

After Patrick Peterson nearly picked off McElroy’s pass — he was ruled out of bounds — Jones’ catch converted a third-and-7 to help move the Tide into field goal position.

“There’s not one part of the team that didn’t play well,” Saban said. “The offense played extremely well. Greg played well. The receivers played well. We ran the ball. The offensive line did a fantastic job.”

Jefferson and Scott were thriving before going to the sidelines.

Scott ran for 83 yards and his 34-yarder was the longest run play given up by Alabama this season. Jefferson passed for 114 yards and also had some success running the option.

“Losing those two guys was a big blow to our offense,” receiver Terrance Toliver said. “It was a letdown to lose both of them, but Jarrett came in and played hard.”

Lee was 4 of 10 for 44 yards with an interception on a fourth-down play at the end, and the Tigers were held to 95 yards rushing.

LSU’s defense held its own through three quarters. Drake Nevis sacked McElroy in the third quarter for a safety, cutting Alabama’s lead to 10-9.

Fullback Stevan Ridley bounced off 354-pound nose guard Terrance Cody for an 8-yard touchdown run and the 15-10 lead. Scott’s big run set up the TD, but also ended his day. The pass for 2 did not connect.

More news

Eric Gay / AP

Big 12 still split on expansion

CFT: Big 12 members are still split on possible expansion, with one school pushing hard for it and one strongly opposed.

NBC Sports

SportsTalk: SEC, Big 12 team up

  SportsTalk: The conferences agree to have their champions play each other in a lucrative new bowl game starting in 2014.

Headlines

• Label

Ex-Air Force RB Clark dismissed from academy

CFT: Boise State reaffirms Big East move

CFT: USC lands two star RBs  |  Player convicted

CFT: Bolden, Drake might bolt from Penn St.

CFT: Notre Dame's Rees pleads not guilty

CFT: Nate Montana transferring ... again?

CFT: Sex assault charges over post-BCS game clip

CFT: Alabama will face WVU in '14 Kickoff Game