Florida-LSU Post Game Analysis: Florida fails to get key stops in home loss to LSU

Loren Meadows GatorBaitmedia.com Football Analyst

What We Thought: The Florida defense came into Saturday’s contest with hopes to turn around what has been an up and down (mainly down) year for the unit. LSU was starting its seventh different offensive line combination of the season and the ability to make the Tigers one dimensional was thought to be an advantage for the unit. Ventrell Miller was coming of an impressive performance against the Missouri Tigers with 11 tackles and was looking for more of the same against a one-dimensional offense. Offensively, Florida would look to establish the running game with the three-man rotation of Montrell Johnson, Nayquan Wright, and Trevor Etienne. In addition, Anthony Richardson would look to play mistake free and put his stamp on the game utilizing legs against an LSU defense that had surrendered 502 total yards to Tennessee one week ago in Baton Rouge.

What We Got: Jayden Daniels for Heisman. In all seriousness, the Gators failed to make key 3rd down stops at any point in a game that saw. The Florida defense surrendered 528 yards to LSU while allowing the Tigers to convert 10-14 3rd and 4th downs collectively. LSU was also able to make 13 chunk plays that demoralized the Florida defense as many of those plays came on 3rd down. Daniels finished the game 349 yards passing with 3 touchdowns to go with 44 yards rushing and another three touchdowns. Offensively Florida played its first “flawless” game of the year with no turnovers and 35 points. At times however, the absence of All-SEC guard O'Cyrus Torrence was very noticeable. Anthony Richardson, Montrell Johnson, and Trevor Etienne paced the Gators rushing attack with 194 total yards and 4 touchdowns, including an 81-yard scramble by Richardson to begin the fourth quarter. LSU however did show better defensive pedigree and adjusted with 7 and 8-man pressures to get enough necessary stops to tilt the advantage of a back-and-forth football game.

Photo Credit: Chris Spears

Montrell Johnson (2) rushed 13 times for 57 yards and 2 touchdowns (Loren Meadows photo)

The Skinny: Coach Billy Napier was visibly frustrated with the outcome of the game Saturday night. “All parts of our team need to improve,” Napier stated. Florida, while doing some good things on offense, was obviously not great on defense. “We’re going to see things that we can do fundamentally better,”Napier continued. During the two-week break in action many will want to analyze the scheme and schemers who have given up over 500 yards to two of the last three SEC opponents. Truthfully Florida has a roster that is simply devoid of SEC caliber talent and depth necessary to play as Napier calls it “winning football.”

On a positive note, in the three Florida losses you see a team that handles adversity, stays together and rejects the blame game that follows teams in the locker room. Coach Napier knows his team is dedicated to the goal of consistent improvement. “I think we are going to be sick when we watch this tape, that’s what I can tell you,” he said. Which means Coach Napier knows his team will not take Saturday’s loss or any thereafter lightly. Saturday night we saw a team that is nowhere near the SEC championship level many expect from the Gators. Napier noted that has been “14 years since Florida won an SEC championship.” A statement not meant to temper fans expectations but to let them know he does not expect it to be 14 more. As the Gators move into a well-needed bye week the opportunity for physical and mental rejuvenation is key. A defense under immense scrutiny will look to find its early season swagger. An offense gaining traction will look to maintain the shine on the operation. The coaches however will hit the road looking not just two weeks from now when the team travels to Jacksonville, but every Jacksonville trip in the future. Who is on that bus one, two, and three years from now will be key as we saw last night the personnel must improve.