LSU

Quirky Kayshon Boutte fumble leads to Jontre Kirklin TD for LSU football vs. Alabama

Erik Hall
Lafayette Daily Advertiser

The first play of the second quarter initially looked like an LSU touchdown by receiver Kayshon Boutte. 

It was Boutte that caught a 43-yard pass from LSU quarterback TJ Finley and entered the end zone. 

But Boutte dropped the ball just before crossing the goal line, and LSU receiver Jontre Kirklin trailed the play and picked it up to carry it across into the end zone.

CBS broadcasters Gary Danielson and Brad Nessler were confused initially, but they figured out what happened after consulting with former NFL official Gene Steratore.

Kayson Boutte fumble, Jontre Kirklin touchdown

Steratore explained that Boutte "clearly fumbled," but Kirklin had "immediate recovery" so that's why it was ruled an LSU touchdown. 

The Kirklin touchdown cut the Alabama lead to 21-7 with 14:53 left in the second quarter. 

Alabama defeated LSU 55-17. 

LSU went to 3-5 overall and 3-5 in the SEC. The Alabama Crimson Tide, ranked No. 1 in the Amway Coaches Poll, improved to 9-0 overall and 9-0 in the SEC. 

After Saturday, Alabama leads the all-time series 54-26-5 against LSU.

Read more LSU, Alabama football news: 

The LSU football head coach is Ed Orgeron. The Alabama Crimson Tide head football coach is Nick Saban. 

Erik Hall is the lead digital producer for sports with the USA Today Network. You can find him on Twitter @HallErik.