LSU (4-2), coming off a big loss to Tennessee at home, was looking to right the ship and flip momentum against the Flordia Gators. Florida, led by former Louisiana head coach Billy Napier, was the home favorite in Gainesville, but Jayden Daniels turned in a career performance as LSU downed the Gators at home 45-35.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
This game was a shootout, and it started just 59 seconds into the game. Anthony Richardson found Justin Shorter for a 51-yard touchdown pass to put Florida up 7-0 early.
Six minutes later, LSU answered with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Daniels to John Emery Jr to tie the game at 7-7. That play proved to be the beginning of a great night for Daniels.
Former Louisiana running back Montrell Johnson got his first of two touchdowns at the 2:00 mark of the first quarter with a 39-yard touchdown run to put the Gators up 14-7.
The second quarter was dominated by LSU, outscoring the Gators 28-7 in the frame. Daniels opened the quarter with a one-yard touchdown run four minutes into the quarter to tie it at 14 a piece. Montrell Johnson got his second touchdown of the game on a three-yard run at the 8:13 mark to put Florida back on top 21-14.
Later in the quarter, the Tigers ripped up 14 straight points on a 24-yard pass from Daniels to Brian Thomas Jr, followed by a 54-yard pass to Jaray Jenkins three minutes later to put LSU up 28-21 at the half.
The third quarter was all LSU, with Jayden Daniels scoring two separate rushing touchdowns in the quarter. The first one came at the 13:17 mark from nine yards out to put LSU up 35-21. 12 minutes later, Daniels would punch it in again from nine yards away to make it a 21-point game after three quarters.
Richardson opened the fourth quarter with an 81-yard scamper to the endzone where he broke multiple LSU tackles to bring it back to a two-score game. Seven minutes later, Jennings product Trevor Etienne ran in from a yard out to make it 42-35 as the clock was winding down in the game.
Florida tried to make something happen in the closing minutes of the game,
BIG NUMBER: 530
The Tigers put together their best offensive performance of the season, totaling 530 yards. Daniels threw for 349 while he and the LSU running backs rushed for 181 yards.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jayden Daniels
Daniels was absolutely fantastic for LSU, going 23-32 for 349 yards and three touchdowns. The Arizona State transfer ran for three touchdowns as well on 44 yards rushing.
UP NEXT: LSU (5-2) will return to Tiger Stadium to host #9 Ole Miss in a midday contest. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 on CBS and you can listen on The Game.