Tuscaloosa, AL (Sports Network) - Chad Jones caused a key fumble late and Jacob Hester cashed in moments later with the go-ahead touchdown, as the third-ranked LSU Tigers topped the Nick Saban-led Alabama Crimson Tide, 41-34, in a thriller at Bryant Denny Stadium.

Saban was facing the Tigers for the first time since leaving LSU in 2004, adding fuel to an already bright SEC rivalry. He fled Baton Rouge to take over as head coach of the Miami Dolphins before returning to the collegiate level this season as an adversary.

The play matched the hype, with both teams holding considerable leads only to watch the other fight back with counter-punch after counter-punch.

"It's like playing against someone who is in your family," Saban said. "I wish them well and like to see them doing well. I am proud to see how some of them developed into successful young men, and I want to watch them continue to be successful in their lives. That feeling for them just doesn't go away."

Matt Flynn struggled early but ended with 353 yards passing and three touchdowns for LSU (8-1, 5-1 SEC), which has now won five straight over Alabama. Hester ended with two rushing touchdowns, while Early Doucet hauled in two TDs.

John Parker Wilson went 14-of-40 for 234 yards with three touchdowns and an interception for the 17th-ranked Crimson Tide (6-3, 4-2), who had won three straight coming in.

LSU blew a 14-point lead in this one and trailed by 10 late in the third, but roared back to tie the game.

With time winding down in the third quarter, Flynn found Demetrius Byrd along the sideline, and the wide receiver broke loose for a 61-yard catch and run.

On their next possession the Tigers moved down to the Alabama 31 before Colt David booted a 49-yard field goal to knot the contest at 27-27.

Midway through the fourth, however, Javier Arenas found daylight on a punt return and scampered 61 yards for the score, giving Alabama a 34-27 edge.

Not to be outdone, Flynn moved his team down the field and found Doucet for a 32-yard score that tied the game once more.

The key play came in the next sequence, with Jones coming free on a blitz and spinning Wilson to the ground as the quarterback lost control of the ball. Curtis Taylor recovered at the three, and Hester punched it in with 1:26 on the clock to put the Tigers ahead.

The Tide tried to mount one last attack, but the Tigers' defense stiffened to end the game.

Alabama scored on the opening possession courtesy of Leigh Tiffin's 36-yard field goal.

David answered with a 43-yarder on the ensuing drive, the start of 17 straight points by LSU.

Chevis Jackson came up with an interception moments later, setting the Tigers up at the Alabama 12. That translated into seven points, as Flynn and Doucet hooked up for a 10-yard TD pass.

"It means a lot to get this win," Jackson said. "We beat Alabama and Auburn this year. Any time we play Alabama it' s a battle. We had a lot of mistakes there at the end but we played well enough to come out with a win."

Hester upped the advantage to 17-3 in the early moments of the second quarter with a one-yard run to paydirt.

Alabama stormed back to move in front before the break. The big momentum turn came on a 67-yard strike from Wilson to DJ Hall with 11:03 left before intermission.

Flynn was intercepted by Rashad Johnson in the next sequence and, after a personal foul by LSU, the Crimson Tide had the ball at their own 42. That opportunity proved fruitless, but Alabama intercepted Flynn again on the Tigers' next possession, and turned it into three points after Tiffin's 21- yard field goal.

The trend continued, with Flynn getting picked off by Kareem Jackson to put the Tide at the LSU 20 following another personal foul by the Tigers. Wilson and Keith Brown hooked up on a post pattern two plays later for a 20-17 Tide lead.

David had a field goal blocked as time expired, keeping Alabama ahead at intermission.

Wilson and Brown connected again late in the third quarter for a 27-17 Alabama lead.