Alabama won the rematch and the crystal trophy that came with it, shutting down No. 1 LSU, 21-0, to win the BCS National Championship on Monday at the Mercedes-Benz SuperDome in New Orleans.

The Crimson Tide (13-1) got five field goals from Jeremy Shelley and a clinching touchdown run by Trent Richardson to win their second national championship in the last three seasons under coach Nick Saban.

Saban becomes the first coach to win three BCS titles; he led LSU to the 2003 championship with a win over Oklahoma, also at the Superdome.

The Tigers (13-1) put together an ultra-impressive regular season that included a 9-6 overtime victory at Alabama in November, but could get nothing going in the rematch and were shut out for the first time since a 31-0 loss to the Crimson Tide in 2002.

Alabama came out throwing against LSU’s second-ranked defense and moved the ball. But, much like the earlier meeting, the Crimson Tide ended up settling for field goals.

Alabama led 9-0 at the half, despite outgaining LSU 225-42. But it didn’t matter, thanks to a smothering performance by the nation’s best defense.

LSU didn’t cross midfield until the fourth quarter and that drive ended with a sack and fumble. The Tigers finished with 92 yards of total offense.

Shelley tacked on a pair of field goals, and Richardson, who was held in check for much of the game, sealed the win with a 34-yard touchdown run with 4:36 to play.