Blake Sims Becomes Alabama Hero with Clutch Fourth Quarter and OT vs. LSU

For 59 minutes, Alabama and LSU traded blows, back and forth.

Both teams had hesitant offenses that didn’t look interested in taking control and punishing defenses that were happy to oblige.

But in the last minute, everything changed. And Blake Sims became an Alabama hero.

T.J. Yeldon’s fumble at the Alabama 6-yard line should have been the end of the Crimson Tide—the end of the game, their season, and their playoff and championship dreams. If that wasn’t, then Colby Delahoussaye’s go-ahead field goal should have been.

Instead, Sims took over with with 50 seconds left, led Alabama down the field for a game-tying field goal and finished the improbable victory with a smooth touchdown pass in overtime, overcoming two critical penalties.

Great Alabama quarterbacks have been defined by signature performances against LSU. Sims had his opportunity in front of him. After an up-and-down game for 59 minutes, he seized it and etched the first marks of his name alongside those greats.

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Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin looked to have a game plan that would feature Sims and the passing game, for better or worse.

Sims threw the ball 45 times on Saturday. His previous high had been 33 attempts in games against West Virginia and Florida. Alabama ran the ball just 29 times, its lowest rushing attempts of the year by three, and four of those runs came in overtime.

The returns, overall, weren’t great.

Sims completed less than half his passes and averaged just 4.6 yards per attempt. Alabama’s lone regulation touchdown was a quick throw to its most reliable weapon, Amari Cooper, who dodged and ducked and stiff-armed his way into the end zone.

Otherwise, the passing game was largely dull.

If that reminds you of another Alabama vs. LSU game, you aren’t the only one. Two years ago, AJ McCarron had a lackluster outing for the first three-and-a-half quarters. He rallied his team, stayed calm and led the Crimson Tide on a game-winning drive to keep alive what turned into a championship season.

Sims said this week he was looking to McCarron’s performance that night, hoping to emulate it.

He got his shot and delivered.

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To appreciate Sims’ version of The Drive, one must appreciate the play-calling. Starting at Alabama's own 35—thanks to an LSU kick out of bounds—with no timeouts and 50 seconds left, Kiffin dialed up quick throws to the sidelines to stop the clock, simplify Sims’ progressions and get the offense in an elusive rhythm.

The plan, combined with Sims’ natural instinct and ability, made for a winning combination.

His scramble on 3rd-and-4 to keep the drive alive was Sims making something out of nothing. But his most impressive play may have been three plays later, when he bought time with his feet, rolled out of the pocket and hit Christion Jones on the run to put Alabama in field-goal range.

In overtime, after two frustrating penalties on right guard Leon Brown that stalled a promising possession, Sims lofted a gorgeous ball to a fading DeAndrew White that ended up being the game-winner.

That kind of cool execution in the most hostile environment is the trademark of a champion. It wasn’t lost on Nick Saban after the game, as he told reporters, via Marquavius Burnett of The Anniston Star.

Sims’ season has been one of earning support, executing when needed and keeping Alabama in a position to win.

On Saturday, with his team in a major bind and its season on the line, he took the next step.

Sims became a central figure and a source of motivation. He took control of the game when Alabama desperately needed someone to.

And he carved out a piece of Alabama history for himself in the process.

Marc Torrence is the Alabama lead writer for Bleacher Report. Follow on Twitter @marctorrence.