BATON ROUGE — LSU was able to overcome quarterback Jarrett Lee’s first three interceptions. Unfortunately for the Tigers, it was that fourth one that was the killer.

Alabama defensive back Rashad Johnson intercepted Lee in the end zone on LSU’s first overtime possession and the Crimson Tide scored a touchdown on the third play of its overtime possession to take a 27-21 win in Nick Saban’s return to Death Valley.

“It was a throw he did not need to make,” LSU coach Les Miles said of Lee’s overtime pick. “But his view was ‘I hit this one, we win.’ I just need to coach him some more, love him, support him and make him better.”

It was a bitter end to a disappointing night for Lee, who finished the game just 13-of-34 for 181 yards with four interceptions to just one touchdown pass.

“I was trying to make plays that weren’t there in a big game,” Lee said of his forgetful night. “I’ve just got to stay positive and work on it.”

LSU seemed to have the momentum as the fourth quarter wound down. Down 21-14, the Tigers marched 74 yards in 14 plays to tie the score when Charles Scott crashed in the end zone from a yard out with 6:12 remaining.

Lee was instrumental on the drive, completing four-of-five passes on the drive for 58 yards.

“He gave us an opportunity to win the game,” Miles said of his redshirt freshman quarterback. “There’s just some growing that needs to be done.”

The two teams then traded punts and Alabama looked like they were going to win the game in regulation. The Tide took advantage of a personal foul face mask call and positioned the ball in the center of the field on the 12-yard line with just 3 seconds left. However, Leigh Tiffin’s 29-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Ricky Jean-Francois as time expired, sending the game to the extra session.

LSU got the ball first in the overtime, and following two running plays that gained four yards, Lee rolled to his right and threw into double coverage in the back of the end zone, where Johnson hauled in his third interception of the game.

Alabama wasted no time ending the game, as John Parker Wilson connected with Julio Jones for a 24-yard gain to the 1-yard line on the first play of overtime. Wilson ended the game himself two plays later on a quarterback sneak for the winning touchdown.

“We decided to go with a big play off the bat to (Julio) Jones,” Saban said. “We hit that one play and that makes a big difference.”

It was Wilson’s second rushing touchdown of the game. The senior quarterback scored on another quarterback sneak in the first quarter that put the Tide up 7-0 following Lee’s first interception of the game, which gave the Tide a first down at the LSU 15-yard line.

The Tigers stormed back to take the lead midway through the first quarter, scoring two touchdowns just 24 seconds apart.

Lee hit Demetrius Byrd for a 30-yard touchdown pass that tied the score at seven. Gilbert Arenas fumbled the ensuing kickoff and LSU running back Charles Scott made them pay on the first offensive play, racing 30 yards for the score. Scott finished the game with 92 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns.

However, LSU would fail to move the ball the remainder of the half and Lee’s second intercpetion would prove very costly, as Johnson picked it off at the 46-yard line and raced 54 yards to the paint that tied the score at 14 midway through the first half.

Alabama took the lead midway through the third quarter, when Glen Coffee capped off a seven-play, 69-yard drive with a 3-yard run around left end.

That’s how the score stayed until LSU tied it in the fourth on Scott’s run.

Alabama’s win puts the No. 1 ranked Tide at 10-0 and clinches the SEC Western Division title. The Tide will face Florida in the SEC Championship Game the first weekend in December.

LSU, meanwhile, falls to 6-3 overall and just 3-3 in the SEC one season after winning the BCS championship.

“We’re going to keep fighting,” Scott said. “The season’s not over. We’re just going to try and run the table.”