Florida regroups, sends LSU to 3rd straight loss
Nov 16, 2024, 07:56 PM ET
GAINESVILLE, Fla.– DJ Lagway threw for a touchdown and established another with a long conclusion in his return from a stretched left hamstring, and Florida upset No. 21 LSU 27-16 on Saturday to offer the Gators their very first series victory given that 2018.
Jadan Baugh’s 55-yard scoring scamper with 3:48 staying basically sealed it and put the Gators (5-5, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) on the verge of becoming bowl-eligible. Florida had dropped eight in a row versus ranked challengers and was 1-10 under coach Billy Napier in competition games.Former Florida coach Steve Spurrier suggested all week that fans need to rush the field named after him if the Gators win. However it didn’t happen.Florida’s defense, though, was worthy of to be commemorated. The system sacked Garrett Nussmeier 7 times– one more than LSU(6-4, 3-3 )had actually allowed its first 9 games combined.Lagway offered the big plays on offense for Florida. After sitting out most of the past 2 losses with the injury
, he got in touch with Elijhah Badger for a 23-yard score in the first quarter. Lagway never scrambled however was mobile sufficient to develop additional time by moving around the pocket.He completed 13 of 26 passes for 226 backyards. Badger captured 6 for 131 backyards. “Elite play, “Florida coach Billy Napier said of Lagway.
“God blessed that young man.”The game began to kip down Florida’s favor when T.J. Searcy
sacked Nussmeier late in the third quarter. Nussmeier fumbled, one of his linemen scooped it out of the air
then fumbled once again. Caleb Banks recuperated in what was one of numerous big plays for the protective tackle.The Gators went backwards from there regardless of the strong field position and ended up punting. But Jeremy Crawshaw pinned the Tigers inside the 10-yard line.Florida then forced a punt and began another drive in
LSU territory. This time, Lagway discovered Badger for a 36-yard gain that established Ja’Kobi Jackson’s 1-yard scoring run.LSU controlled time of possession in the first half and doubled up Florida in plays. However Nussmeier struggled to find time in the 2nd half. He completed 27 of 47 passes for 260 yards with a touchdown and the fumble, and the Gators’defense irritated him in recovering from a substandard effort the week before in a blowout loss at Texas.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated”Recently was inappropriate, and they took ownership of that,”Napier said of his defense. “There was no moping around. “Losing 3 in a row– to Texas A&M, Alabama and now Florida– makes it impossible for LSU coach Brian Kelly to continue his streak of 10-win seasons,
which will
end at seven. Kelly won double-digit games in each of his last 5 seasons at Notre Dame and extended it with consecutive 10-win projects in Baton Rouge.”This is a basic workout of do you want to fight or not?”Kelly said after the loss.”Do you wish to combat and take obligation as coaches and players that we’re not playing well and we’re having a hard time right now? … There’s a rough spot here that we need to hammer out, and we have to do it together
.”As Napier left the field following handshakes and postgame interviews, he was cheered by the fans hovering at the team’s tunnel.”You’ve got to be a tough guy, and you got to be up for the difficulty, “Napier stated.”This group has proven they’re up for that. It’s more difficult than ever in my viewpoint. These guys might have pointed fingers and splintered a very long time ago. That’s what I’m most proud of.”The Associated Press added to this report.