Kendrick Law looking forward to playing in home state but treating LSU like every game

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – When Alabama travels to Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Saturday, Nov. 9, to take on LSU, it will be a homecoming game of sorts for junior receiver Kendrick Law.

Hailing from Shreveport, Law is one of two Louisiana players on Alabama’s 2024 roster, along with tight end Danny Lewis. The former is excited for the game at Tiger Stadium.

“Home sweet home,” Law said. “I’m most definitely looking forward to this weekend.”

This will be Law’s second time playing in Death Valley as a member of the Crimson Tide, but he visited LSU’s home stadium plenty in his youth as a fan of the Tigers – though Law made it clear his family was open to “each and everything.” That’s why his second game in Baton Rouge, and first as a starter, doesn’t have any more juice than Alabama’s last game.

“I treat it like every game, like it’s a national championship,” Law said.

Law has played in six of Alabama’s games this season, missing two because of injury. He made his return in the Tide’s Week 8 road game at Tennessee and caught a season-high four passes for 37 yards in the loss. In the last two games, Law has seven offensive touches, including a 21 yard run two weeks ago against Missouri, as his utilization has increased.

Law discussed his expanded role within the Alabama offense after Tuesday’s practice.

“The coaching staff, they’re still figuring out things, still figuring ways to use each and every last one of us,” Law said. “Everybody in every position. It’s just something that we keep walking into each and every week trying to excel at the next level.”

A versatile weapon for the Tide coaching staff, Law is fine with any job he’s asked to do.

“Anything that will win the game for us, I’m open to do it,” Law said.

Law is one of Alabama’s veteran players and has been pointed to as an example, not only for his play on the field – as one of the Tide’s best blockers – but for how he carries himself away from the facility. But he allowed his emotions to get the best of him late in the Tennessee game when UA was trying to mount a comeback, drawing a personal foul penalty.

The flag set up a 4th and 22 for Alabama, and the Crimson Tide failed to convert.

“Those moments are big,” said Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer. “Our choices, our decisions, our words, our actions, all of those things, they have to be focused on what’s best for our team. Obviously, in that moment, we’re fighting to try to find a way to win. It’s a big moment. 

“We’ve got to make sure we, of course, address them, but we can’t continue to have mistakes, those in particular that we can control.”

Law, speaking for the first time since the defeat, owned up to his fourth-quarter mistake.

“The personal foul was definitely on me,” Law said. “I’m gonna take 100 percent ownership of that. It’s something as a vet player that shouldn’t happen again, and it won’t happen again. I’ve learned from it, and we’re moving on.”

Law’s focus is now on his return to Louisiana and a must-win game against No. 14 LSU that will be played in front of a hostile road crowd. Alabama dealt with a raucous environment at Neyland Stadium in Tennessee, and that proved to be challenging, as the Tide was flagged 15 times for 115 yards. Offensively, UA must handle the crowd noise better on Saturday.

As someone who is familiar with Tiger Stadium, Law shared his message to the younger players who will be experiencing a night game in Death Valley for the first time this week.

“Tune everything out,” Law said. “That’s all I can tell you. Stay locked in, execute when your name is called.”

He and the rest of the Alabama offense will face an LSU defense that ranks 12th in the SEC and 86th nationally at defending the pass, allowing opponents 230 yards per game. On the flip side, the Crimson Tide is averaging 254.1 yards through the air this season ahead of a game that will decide if UA’s playoff hopes are still alive or if they are all but out of the race.

“They have a pretty good defense,” Law said. “A lot of skill guys, a lot of guys with talent. But we implement a plan so we can execute, and that’s all we’ve gotta do on Saturday is execute and everything else is history.”

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