NEW ORLEANS — From a Southeastern Conference standpoint, it was the biggest play of LSU’s championship season.
From a national perspective, however, Tigers safety Eric Reid stripping the ball from Alabama tight end Michael Williams for a fourth-quarter interception during their Nov. 5 matchup at Bryant-Denny Stadium wound up lacking any impact whatsoever. The No. 1 Tigers and No. 2 Crimson Tide are meeting again Monday night for the BCS championship.
“It meant nothing,” Williams said Friday inside the Superdome. “That’s part of this sport we play. It’s college football, and it can be crazy. You definitely hope for a chance like this if you’re a part of a play that didn’t work out.”
There were no touchdowns scored when the Tigers defeated the Tide 9-6 in overtime, but Williams came quite close with 11:07 left in regulation and Alabama at LSU’s 28-yard line. Tide receiver Marquis Maze threw out of the wildcat formation for Williams, who appeared to be open until Reid broke away from covering receiver Brandon Gibson over the middle and headed toward the end zone.
Williams went up for the ball, but Reid had it when the two players hit the turf at the 1-yard line.