Looking to snap a two-game losing streak, the LSU Tigers went on the road to battle the Florida Gators, led by former Louisiana Ragin Cajuns coach Billy Napier. The Gators benefitted from some key plays that led to 17 second-half points as Florida took down LSU 27-16.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
LSU started the game with the football before going for it on fourth down and getting stopped by the Florida defense. On the Gators’ second offensive possession, five-star freshman DJ Lagway found Elijhah Badger for a 23-yard touchdown pass to take an early 7-0 lead in the Swamp.
LSU tied it in the second quarter with a long 14-play, 84-yard scoring drive that was capped off with a 28-yard pass to Aaron Anderson from Garrett Nussmeier to tie it at 7-7.
Four minutes later, Trey Smack gave the Gators a 10-7 lead on a 49-yard field goal with 3:27 left in the half. In the closing seconds of the half, Damian Ramos connected on a 50-yard field goal to tie it at 10 for the halftime break.
On the first possession of the second half, LSU recovered a Nussmeier fumble that he came up from the pile in a great amount of pain, grabbing his throwing forearm. However, the junior signal caller stayed in the contest and led the Tigers deep into Florida territory, scoring on a pass to CJ Daniels that was taken off the board due to a pass interference call against Kyren Lacy. Ramos nailed his second field goal of the game, this one from 45 yards out to make it 13-10 with 5:54 left in the third as the Tigers took nearly eight minutes off the clock in the drive.
Early in the fourth, JaKobi Jackson punched it in from one yard out to give Florida the 20-13 lead with 13:58 left in the game. LSU marched down the field but had to settle for a 38-yard field goal from Ramos to cut the lead to 20-16 with 5:18 left in the game.
Florida then answered with a three-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 55-yard touchdown run from Jadan Baugh to put the Gators ahead 27-16 with 3:48 remaining.
LSU moved down to the field and took some shots to the endzone, but the Florida defense took a stand and forced a turnover on downs to secure the win.
BIG NUMBER: 43
LSU ran 43 more plays than Florida on offense and had possession for 21 more minutes, but the Gators made the necessary plans to get a needed win.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Shemar James
James was incredible for the Florida defense on Saturday night with 10 tackles, a pair of sacks, and two pass breakups.
UP NEXT: LSU will head back to Baton Rouge for their final two games of the regular season as they welcome Vanderbilt to Death Valley next Saturday. Kickoff time is TBA, but can be heard on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette and 104.1 Lake Charles.
