When Cade York stepped up for what proved to be a game-winning field goal, the only thing on his mind was what he’d do after he made it.
“And what I was thinking about before the kick was running down the field doing the gator chomp,” he said.
York was able to do just that after hitting a school-record 57-yard field goal which gave LSU (4-5) and 37-34 win at No. 6 Florida (8-2).
“I want to thank the offense and Coach O for putting me in a place to probably have one of the top three moments in my football career. So that was pretty awesome,” York said.
The kick capped a nine-play, 36-yard drive that would have stalled a few plays earlier if Florida cornerback Marco Wilson hadn’t been flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for throwing LSU freshman tight end Kole Taylor’s shoe after a third and long play.
“Obviously, I know (Florida) coach (Dan) Mullen didn’t want that guy to do that,” LSU head coach Ed Orgeron said. “And it was a break. We needed a break.”
The flag gave the Tigers a first down which helped set up York field goal attempt which not only was challenging due to the distance but also due to the fog that rolled into Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. York said earlier in the quarter he walked down the field to test the visibility once the fog started to roll in.
“I got out there, it was blurry. I couldn’t necessarily see the ball but I just had a little faith in God that he’d put it through,” York said.
Orgeron said LSU’s coaches had faith in York despite the attempt being from further out that they would’ve liked.
“I talked to (special teams coordinator Greg McMahon) and obviously I said ‘Mac, what do you think?’ he said we are going to make it.” Orgeron said. “We were trying to get to the 33, that was his range, but we decided to go ahead and try it.”
After the kick Florida still was able to line up a field goal attempt to potentially tie the game, but Evan McPherson’s 51-yard attempt missed left sealing the win for LSU.
