After a promising opening drive for LSU (5-1, 2-1 SEC), the rest of the afternoon turned sour out in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with the Tigers taking a 27-19 loss to the Florida Gators (5-1, 3-1 SEC).
That opening drive started off with an impressive pass to Justin Jefferson that got the Tigers into enemy territory. They were able to capitalize on that with a four-yard run by Nick Brossette to give them the early 7-0 lead.
The score remained that way until early in the second quarter when the Gators capped off a nine-play drive with a one-yard run from Lamical Perine to knot things up at seven. Cole Tracy was able to give LSU the lead back late in the third quarter with a 33-yarder, but that didn’t last long with Florida responding with a quick march down the field that was capped off by a three yard pass from Feleipe Franks to tight end Moral Stephens in the endzone to make it 14-10 headed into the break.
LSU’s fortunes looked like they were going to turn around when Grant Delpit picked off Franks in the endzone, but they wound up having to settle for a punt on their opening drive. Tracy was able to get the Tigers within one point with a perfect 42-yard field goal with 4:16 left in the third.
LSU really started to build momentum in the fourth quarter when the Tigers cruised down the field thanks to three big runs by Nick Brossette to make it 19-14 after failing to make the two-point conversion. Their lead didn’t last long though as Florida went down the field on a nine-play drive that ended with another two-yard run from Perine.
The Gators sealed the deal when McDonogh 35 product Brad Stewart Jr. got his second interception of the season and took it to the house with 1:45 left in the ballgame. Burrow tried to rally the troops, but threw his second interception, this time to Donovan Stiner to truly put the game on ice.
LSU will return to the friendly confines of Death Valley on Saturday when they play host to the Georgia Bulldogs (6-0, 4-0 SEC).
-Clint Domingue