The LSU Tigers are double-digit underdogs and without a host of key players as they stare down the Florida Gators. Have we seen this movie before?
A year ago it was the exact same case, but down in a foggy Gainesville. Max Johnson made his first career start that day and led the Tigers to an improbable upset, 37-34 over the Gators.
Max Johnson led that LSU victory in his first career start. Cade York hit a 57-yarder despite not being able to see the uprights. Could LSU possibly do it again, with some key differences? Ed Orgeron said his team has been "on fire all week" since a players-only meeting led by Andre Anthony. Only time will tell if that translates to play on the field.
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Similar to last year the Tigers are fresh off a pair of demoralizing SEC losses having just lost a key playmaker. In 2020 it was Texas A&M and Alabama, with star wide receiver Terrance Marshall opting out. This year it was Auburn and Kentucky while losing Kayshon Boutte for the year due to injury.
But what's different? For starters, this game won't see any fog, unless it's from coffee mugs. The Tigers and Gators face off at 11 a.m. on ESPN, LSU's second start before lunchtime this year. The team played one of its more complete games of the year in that matchup, a win over Mississippi State. Maybe this team can duplicate that energy inside Tiger Stadium, the first home game since the program lifted COVID-19 vaccination requirements?
For that to happen LSU will have to overcome a string of star player absences that would make 2020 blush. LSU is without:
- RB, John Emery Jr. (academic)
- WR, Kayshon Boutte (injury/done for year)
- QB, Myles Brennan QB (injury)
- CB, Derek Stingley Jr. (injury)
- CB, Eli Ricks (injury/done for year)
- DE, Ali Gaye (injury/done for year)
- DE, Andre Anthony (injury/done for year)
- DT, Joseph Evans (injury/likely done for year)
- LB, Jared Small (injury/done for year)
- LB, Major Burns (injury/out multiple weeks)
Cordale Flott and Dwight McGlothern will likely move outside at the corner spots, while Maason Smith will bump out to defensive end in place of Gaye. Orgeron touted freshman Malik Nabers as a player to watch in Boutte's absence.
Scroll below for all the info you'll need to watch, listen to or stream the game, a live score graphic and big play updates.
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THE GAME
No. 20 Florida (4-2; 3-1 SEC) at LSU Kentucky (3-3; 1-2 SEC)
- Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- When: 11 a.m. (central), Saturday, Oct. 16
- TV: ESPN
- Listen: WWL AM-870; FM-105.3
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THE SCORE
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THE HIGHLIGHTS
Check back for more big plays from throughout LSU-Florida.
RINSE, REPEAT
TDP again, now over 200 rushing yards on the day.
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END Q3: LSU 35, Florida 35
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DAVIS-PRICE WON'T BE STOPPED
After weeks of failing to generate anything positive on the ground, Ty Davis-Price and the Tigers' offensive line has hit its stride when it needed to most. The junior running back galloped for 40 yards and a score, his second long scoring run on the day. With more than a quarter left to go, TDP already gained 134 yards on his 16 carries.
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THEY DID IT AGAIN?!?
Apparently nobody told LSU's secondary it was supposed to struggle without either outside starting cornerback in Derek Stingley Jr. or Eli Ricks. Coming out of haltime with Florida holding the momentum, Dwight McGlothern leapt in to snag another Emory Jones pass. He was even able to cut out the middleman (the offense) by bringing it back to the house for a 28-13 lead early in the second half.
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HALFTIME: LSU 21, Florida 13
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SO CLOSE, SO FAR
LSU's defense played an inspired first half, but they took off a bit early with the Gators easily completing a desperation Hail Mary to bite into the Tigers' lead just before the break.
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ANOTHER ONE, ANOTHER 7
A different Florida quarterback? Doesn't matter. Jay Ward follows up Micah Baskerville's turnover with a pick of his own on the next Gators possession, the ball thrown by Anthony Richardson.
Ward brought the ball back inside Florida's 20 and Max Johnson make it hurt, again, with a TD pass to Jaray Jenkins, this one from 5 yards out.
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BIG PICK, BIG SCORE
LSU's defense did come out on fire after all in this one. Micah Baskerville picked off an Emory Jones pass and returned it well into Florida territory. Max Johnson made it count a few plays later with a connection to Jaray Jenkins in the end zone.
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BIG PLAY, BIG HOLD
The Tigers were already ahead 7-6, but it looked like they'd clearly grabbed momentum on a 71-yard scoring strike from Max Johnson to Brian Thomas Jr. But even as LSU celebrated there was laundry on the field. The play was called back due to a holding call on left tackle Cameron Wire and Johnson broke the pocket. Tigers punted two plays later.
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A TIGERS RUN GAME?
LSU's offense has been downtrodden the last two weeks, but the Ty Davis-Price rushing resurgence in a loss to Kentucky might not have been a mirage. The junior picked up a key third-down conversion earlier in the drive, and scampers for an 18-yard touchdown that puts LSU ahead early in the second quarter.
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END Q1 | Florida 6, LSU 0
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MALIK NABERS COMES UP BIG
LSU is without star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte due to injury, so who steps up? Ed Orgeron has repeatedly pointed to freshman Malik Nabers as the potential answer to that question. He showed up just in time for Max Johnson on a critical first-down conversion on the Tigers' first scoring drive.
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TRICKY GATORS
LSU's defense was stout early, but the Gators went out of the box to kickstart their first scoring drive. Running back Trent Whittemore takes the handoff, then throws it back to QB Emory Jones for the big gain. Florida missed the PAT.
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THEY OUT HERE
LSU got up early this morning.
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