Florida VS LSU Post-Game Notes: Oh My! Mick Came Back

By KYLE CURTIS

GatorBaitMedia.com

On a brisk night in The Swamp, not even the LSU band could not shut down the Gator faithful in singing I Won't Back Down on the first annual Tom Petty Day, with a large segment of the 90,000-plus belting out the now traditional Song Of Swamp. Unfortunately, neither cthe Gators stop the Tiger offense as LSU Tigers defeated Florida for the 10th time in the past 13 years, 45-35, behind Jayden Daniel’s six touchdowns.

“We’re going to be sick when we watch this tape,” Napier said. “That’s what I can tell you.”

While both offenses traded punches through the first half, LSU’s third down and ability to keep the Florida defense on the field proved to be too much to handle. Daniels was responsible for all of LSU’s six touchdowns, three on the ground and three through the air with drives of 75, 73, 75, 83, 75 and 88 yards.

The legendary Voice of the Gators, Mick Hubert, kicked off the night as the honorary Mr. Two Bits. The crowd was ready.

Anthony Richardson delivered on the second play from scrimmage when he connected with Justin Shorter for a 51-yard touchdown reception. On pregame radio, Billy Napier said how he has stressed completion and efficiency with Richardson this week, to take what LSU gave him.

Photo Credit: Chris Spears

Mick Hubert doing his Mr. Two Bits routine. (Chris Spears Photo)

“Explosive plays will come,” Napier said. Explosiveness happened for Florida, although LSU was just a bit more explosive."

FIRST HALF - 28-21 LSU

• Amari Burney was shaken up on the first LSU drive and was able to jog off on his own power. Burney ended up having to leave the game due to the wind being knocked out of him and blood in his mouth.

• Rocco Underwood, the long snapper and cousin of Gator legends Johnny and Tommy Townsend, recovered a muffed punt by LSU.

• LSU’s Jayden Daniels was 14-18 at halftime for 252 yds and 3 TDs

• LSU led in total yards 306-171 at halftime and in passing yards 252-79. UF led in rushing yards 92-54 at halftime.

• LSU was 6/7 on third downs with no punts in comparison to Florida's 3/6.

• LSU averaged 8.1 yards to gain and averaged 22.9 yards on third down.

SECOND HALF - 45-35 LSU

• Michael Tarquin started the second half due to the absence of O’Cyrus Torrence.

• Last week, Tennessee held LSU to 13 points and 355 yards the entire game. The Tigers had 381 yards and 35 points through the first possession of the second half.

• Burney rejoined the sideline with 7 minutes left in the third quarter after heading to the locker room following an injury on LSU’s opening drive of the game. He quickly reentered the game.

• LSU had 469 yards and six touchdowns on six possessions at the end of the third quarter.

• During Tom Petty’s tribute, the LSU band began playing prompting the Florida faithful to boo along with singing the Florida tradition even louder.

• On the first play of scrimmage in the fourth quarter, Anthony Richardson ripped off an 81-yard touchdown to revive hopes in The Swamp.

• 90,585 was announced as tickets sold./attendance

• Florida forced LSU’s first punt of the game with 13:05 left in the fourth quarter.

• Florida forced an interception by then called back after Gervon Dexter was flagged for a controversial roughing of the passer penalty

POST-GAME

• Gators have lost 10 of the last 13 to the Tigers since 2010, allowing 42, 37, 49 and 45 points in the previous four meetings.

• This is Florida’s first four-game losing streak to LSU since 1977-1980.

“Ultimately we didn’t do enough to win this game tonight, and when you’re in a leadership position,” Napier said. “There’s only one answer: you’ve got to do better for the people that you’re leading."

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“We wanted to win that one. We needed to win that one,” Richardson said. “We’re not really happy about that.”

Florida has a bye week before the date with Georgia in Jacksonville.