Florida Vs. LSU Pregame Notes: First Meeting For Kelly & Napier
- Kyle Curtis
- Oct 13, 2022
- 3 min read
By KYLE CURTIS
The last time the Florida Gators (4-2, 1-2 SEC) and LSU Tigers (4-2, 2-1 SEC) met for a primetime matchup in The Swamp, there was no shortage of fireworks. Concluding in an eerie fog that filled Steve Spurrier-Florida Field, we saw a shoe toss from Florida’s Marco Wilson that resulted in a penalty and game-winning field goal for the Tigers.
This year, LSU comes into Gainesville with a new opposing coach in Brian Kelly and the Tigers are coming off an embarrassing loss at home against Tennessee where they fell 40-13. Nonetheless, the Florida-LSU rivalry is always a close and competitive matchup.
Additionally, this game also puts a spotlight on the athletic director of LSU, Scott Woodward, who ultimately chose Kelly over Billy Napier. When asked about his potential candidacy for the LSU job last offseason Napier said: “I don’t know that something that’s something you talk publicly about. I’m very thankful for the opportunity I was given here.”
The quarterback duel will be intriguing to watch as well. Anthony Richardson has looked dynamic at times for Florida, while still struggling in other in some areas. Jaydon Daniels, a three-year starter at Arizona State before heading to Baton Rouge, has been the Tigers' main source of offense. He has produced well in the air with 1,215 yards, along with seven touchdowns -- although Daniels has proved to do most of his damage on the ground. Through six games, Daniels has 76 carries for 359 yards along with another three touchdowns.
“I think that’s the No. 1 concern,” Billy Napier said on LSU QB Jayden Daniel’s rush threat.
● This is the 69th all-time meeting between Florida and LSU, 34th matchup in Gainesville.
● Florida has a slight edge in the series with a record of 33-32-3
● The last three meetings have been times for the offenses to explode with Florida averaging 518 yards per game over the last three meetings with LSU.
● Along with the passing attack, Florida has rushed for 100-plus yards in six straight games and 10 of the past 11 meetings against LSU.
● In last year’s matchup, Anthony Richardson took over mid-game for Emory Jones and threw for 167 yards and three touchdowns while adding 42 yards on the ground and another score.
● Richardson has a turnover in every game this season.
● This is the first meeting between Billy Napier and Brian Kelly.
● The Gators have been successful on the ground this year with 6.4 yards per carry ranking. third in the FBS.
● Gators aAll-American candidate guard O’Cyrus Torrence is questionable for this week after being the top-rated guard in the country at 90.2, according to Pro Football Focus.
● “I think we’ll be okay, we’re just telling you the truth,” Napier says of Torrence’s status. Has yet to have a practice where he is 100% this week.
● This LSU squad also has a new offensive coordinator, Mike Denbrock. This is the third team this year that has a freshly hired OC. Sophomore standout defensive end Princely Umanmielen chimed in on how Patrick Toney and the rest of the Gators prepare for this kind of matchups.
● “When we watch the film of teams, they dig really deep,” Umanmielen said “One team had a new offensive coordinator, and they were back to when he was at three schools ago and things like that. Yeah, I know he (Toney) is going to do some digging and figure out a game plan."
Comments