The LSU Tigers had all odds stacked against them Saturday night in Gainesville. Coach O’s team started the night with only 54 scholarship players on their roster and was limited even more with in-game injuries.
A true freshman QB, Max Johnson, started his first ever game in his collegiate career and through all that the LSU Tigers fought for all four quarters to upset the #6 Florida Gators 37-34.
LSU came into the game as a 23 point underdog and were laughed at in the pregame show, when analysts were asked to give a prediction for the game. Essentially, the only ones who believed LSU could win were the Tigers and they proved it.
We saw a bunch of young Tigers make names for themselves which is something Head Coach Ed Orgeron can build on when a new season comes around next year.
Good:
The expectations weren’t very high for LSU QB Max Johnson, but the freshman made the most of it finishing the night with 239 yards passing and three touchdowns. Johnson also rushed for 52 yard totaling 291 of LSU’s 418 total yards.
While Myles Brennan sits on the sidelines for the remainder of the season due to injury, Johnson now gives LSU fans something to think about this off-season. Johnson’s mobility and awareness to avoid Florida pass rushers not only kept the LSU offense off the turnover stat sheet, but kept them on the field. LSU was 8 for 18 on 3rd down conversions, which was one of the Tigers biggest liabilities in their losses this season.
Two defensive players who stood out for LSU were freshman Eli Ricks and senior Jabril Cox. With no Derek Stingley Jr available, Ricks was made the Tigers top defensive back. Ricks returned a Kyle Trask interception for a touchdown giving LSU their first lead of the game.
Jabril Cox was all over the field in coverage breaking up passes as well as forcing pressure on Trask in blitz packages. Cox, who transferred from North Dakota State, showed why he was one of the most highly sought after players in the transfer bubble.
Finally, I can’t forgot the guy who put LSU in the win column and that’s kicker Cade York. York was 3 for 3 on the night including a 57 yarder in the fog to give LSU the lead with twenty-three seconds remaining. York has been reliable when counted on in big moments and I don’t expect anything different in his two remaining years in Baton Rouge.
Bad:
Florida’s QB, Kyle Trask, is in a two-man race for the Heisman trophy along with Alabama QB Mac Jones. After Jones scorched LSU’s defense last week with 385 yards passing, Trask needed to put up similar results in dominating fashion. Trask did put up big numbers passing for 474 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to get the win against the Tigers. The LSU defense was able to intercept him twice and forced a fumble right before halftime that resulted in 3 points for LSU. While the numbers were great on the stat sheet, it was the performance that may have lost Trask not only the game, but the Heisman trophy.
Another disappointing performance came from the Gators defense. While LSU has struggled to move the ball and finish long drives, that’s exactly what the Tigers did in this victory. It wasn’t pretty, but LSU’s offense was able to get points on the scoreboard, while the Florida offense couldn’t capitalize on all their yardage.
The biggest bonehead move of the night goes to Florida defensive back Marco Wilson, who threw the LSU tight end’s shoe downfield after a 3rd down play. Instead of punting, the Tigers were given an automatic first down and eventually the go-ahead winning field goal. Plays like that can’t happen on a team that’s #6 in the country with an opportunity still at a national championship.
Ugly:
That leads me into the final discussion of the night and that’s the mindset of the Florida Gators. Dan Mullen’s team must have been looking towards next week’s matchup against the #1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, because the Gators looked flat against LSU.
Mullen sounded full of excuses at halftime and after the game. Overlooking your opponent will singlehandedly get you beat, if you underestimate who you’re facing. LSU had nothing to lose and did not want another embarrassment on national TV like their experience a week ago at the hands of Alabama. Now Florida may not even get into the College Football Playoffs even with a win next week against the Crimson Tide.
With one final game remaining for the Tigers, LSU can now focus on finishing the season with a (.500) record and avoid a losing season. It’ll be the final opportunity for players to see what they can do as the bowl game is no longer achievable this season due to self-imposed sanctions.
