Russell passes for 3 TDs to propel No. 9 Alabama past No. 15 LSU, 31-13

BATON ROUGE, La. -- , Keelon Russell pushed through an ankle injury to pass for three touchdowns, Alabama made several pivotal fourth-down stops and the ninth-ranked Crimson Tide pulled away for a 31-13 victory over No. 15 LSU on Saturday. “Through the grace of God, it wasn’t a big injury,” said Russell, who was examined in an injury tent in the third quarter. "I knew if I had got out of this game I was going to feel really bad about myself because I didn’t think I had gave it my all ... . I wasn’t going to let an injury stop me from being who I am.” Alabama (7-2, 5-2 Southeastern Conference) remained firmly in the College Football Playoff picture, while leaving LSU (6-3, 3-3) with long-shot hopes at best under first-year coach Lane Kiffin, who also dropped to 0-6 in his coaching career against Alabama (including prior stints at Mississippi and Tennessee).