The LSU Tigers (6-4) traveled to Gainesville in desperate need of a win. Instead, a late touchdown by Florida (5-5) put the Gators up 27-16, dooming the Tigers to a three-game losing streak. LSU dominated time of possession and had almost twice as many first downs as Florida. The Tigers emphasized the aspects of the game that they were lacking and that we thought would decide the winner. Ultimately, the Bayou Bengals’ inability to score touchdowns overshadowed any other success it had. LSU’s loss to Florida shut the door on any talk of an SEC title game while raising even more concern.
LSU Loss to Florida Leaves Team Grasping for Answers
Commitment to Run
It was evident early that LSU intended to right a few wrongs from previous losses. The LSU offense fed Aaron Anderson the ball continuously in the first half after he was underutilized against Alabama. Furthermore, Brian Kelly showed a commitment to the run game that the Tigers haven’t displayed all year. Their 44 runs were the most this season by far, eclipsing a previous high of 32. Even though the offense seemed to have better direction than in previous games, it seemed LSU couldn’t get out of its own way to finish drives with touchdowns.
Florida kicked off the scoring with a perfect pass from DJ Lagway to Elijah Badger in the first quarter. However, LSU answered with a 14-play, 84-yard touchdown drive finished by a perfect pass from Garrett Nussmeier to Anderson. Considering how the LSU defense was playing at that point, it was easy to believe that the touchdown pass would lead to positive momentum and confidence to get in the end zone more often.
That assertion would be wrong, as the two rivals entered the half tied at 10. Entering the half, LSU outrushed the Gators while outgaining them by over 60 total yards. The Tigers had only one penalty and prevented the Florida offense from finding a rhythm. Florida had the ball for fewer than 10 minutes in the first half while LSU’s offense was on the field for over 20 minutes. A tie score with such a discrepancy in the statistics did not bode well for the Tigers.
Second Half Blues
Florida turned up the heat on its pass rush in the second half. Nussmeier fumbled twice in the third quarter, losing one of them to the Gators. His second fumble led to an LSU punt which Florida muffed on the return, but the Tigers couldn’t recover the ball.
The Tigers didn’t have a great shot at recovering the loose ball, but missed opportunities like these haunted LSU all night. It would only take two plays after a muffed punt for Lagway to avoid the LSU’s rush and throw a dime to Badger for a 36-yard gain, leading to a short touchdown run to put the Gators up 20-13.
Florida forced LSU to settle for three on its next possession, which essentially ended the game. The Tigers failed to score again. The remaining hope that LSU had was lost after a 55-yard touchdown run by Jadan Baugh.
Effective Adjustments
LSU did not perform well enough to win the game, but the game was not given away. Florida took the game on its home field. The Gator run defense was a different animal after the half. LSU had almost four yards per carry in the first half but barely over two yards per carry in the second half.
Not only did the Gators improve their run defense, but their pass rush was relentless. Florida blitzed at times, but Tyreak Sapp was simply too much for the left side of the LSU offensive line. Florida finished with seven sacks on the night, one more than LSU has allowed all year.
LSU pressured Lagway consistently, but Florida learned to adjust to the Tigers’ aggressiveness. Bradyn Swinson could not be blocked all night, yet LSU couldn’t resist the urge to affect the young quarterback with numbers. Florida had an answer whenever the Tigers sent at least six rushers. Billy Napier’s offense repeatedly picked up the blitz and completed passes to wide-open receivers.
What’s Next After the LSU Loss?
LSU obviously does not have a wide margin for error to get wins. The Tigers can’t afford to drop interceptions. They can’t overthrow open receivers or drop touchdowns. One could question lining up in shotgun for a jet sweep on fourth and one. Offensive linemen who aren’t ready for SEC competition must be helped in some way. In a must-win game at this point in the season, linebacker Whit Weeks stated that there was confusion among the defensive personnel on the late touchdown run. These are missteps that LSU can’t overcome.
This isn’t meant to criticize indiscriminately; this is to say that there’s blame to go around for everybody involved in LSU’s losing streak. Both players and coaches should be held accountable. However, Florida’s staff made the adjustments in this game that were needed to win it. There won’t likely be wholesale changes in the offseason. But in the spirit of improvement, nobody should feel safe.
