The LSU Tigers earned a huge win in front of their home crowd last night over the Florida Gators, 42-28. The Tigers’ offense led the way, with quarterback Joe Burrows throwing for completing 21 out of 24 passes for nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns, with 127 of those yards going to wideout Jamarr Chase. The Gators’ defense has no answer for the Tigers’ rushing attack either, as Clyde Edwards-Helaire went for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns. LSU improves to 6-0 on the season with this win, putting themselves firmly in the playoff discussion, while Florida drops to 6-1 and possibly out of the top 10.
The game was a shootout from the opening whistle, as LSU quickly drove down the field. They missed a field goal on their first drive, but got the ball back after a Florida punt and wasted no time. 32 seconds and two plays later, the Tigers found the end zone on a Burrows pass to Chase. That drive was reflective of the entire game, as LSU was able to strike quickly and often.The Gators offense, though, was able to hold its own against the ferocious Tiger attack, as they responded with a long 75 yard drive that resulted in a Trask touchdown pass to Trevon Grimes. The first half continued this way, with both teams scoring at will. All of Florida’s touchdowns came off of 75 yard drives, including one right before half to go into the locker room deadlocked at 21.
The Gators got the second half kickoff and went to work, driving 75 yards in eight plays to take the lead for the first time all game. That was the last time Florida would score however, as the Tigers scored 21 unanswered points the rest of the way. The Florida defense, down their top two pass rushers, looked lost on the field, as they were carved up by both the rushing and passing attack of the Tigers. A Trask interception in the fourth quarter basically ended the game, but Burrows and the Tigers offense scored one more touchdown, a 54 yard bomb from Burrows to Chase, just to seal it.
After the game, Burrows praised his team, and specifically called out his offensive line.
“We knew that last year they got after us up front,” Burrows said. “Our offensive line took that personally. I was just so proud of these guys. There was no pressure the entire night.”
LSU will take its unbeaten season into Starkville to take on Mississippi State next week.
On the opposite side, The Gators were clearly disappointed in the way they played, but know that they have to rally quickly, as they play South Carolina next week, who just beat Georgia.
“This is just going to make us closer, and make us better,” Trask said.
Written by Michael Hull
