Gators defense stuffs LSU, UF wins SEC East

And Orgeron might be getting ready to head coach his final game at LSU.

LSU ran 19 more plays than the Gators and outgained them 423-270.

Blakeney was one of four LSU players to score in double figures. Throughout the rescheduling process, another level of bitterness was added to the rivalry, which will be on full display Saturday afternoon.

With the win, the Gators clinched the SEC East Division and will face Alabama in the SEC title game in two weeks in Atlanta. The defense allowed a 98-yard touchdown on blown coverage and LSU got nothing in the return game and a poor effort from the kicking game.

The sophomore had five runs of eight yards or longer en route to his second consecutive game of 100 rushing yards. On fourth down, Etling pitched to Derrius Guice, who took it back toward the middle but was denied, sealing the victory for Florida.

When a suitable make-up date could not be found, when angry words were exchanged, when the controversy raged, the Gators agreed to a compromise solution with the SEC, moving the game to Baton Rouge after both teams bought out their November 19 games against non-conference (and non-Power Five) opponents. The fact that the Gators couldn’t push it in to end the game after that fumble recovery at LSU’s 21 for a 20-10 lead shows one how average this team is that just beat LSU.

But the Florida defense wouldn’t bend.

The Gators entered the game with seven injured starters. However, with the ball just one yard from the end zone, fullback J.D. Moore was stuffed on third-and-goal.

Now that there is only one game left this season, it is nearly decision time on whether or not Ed Orgeron will land the big job.

Per Joshua Thornton of The Daily Reveille, the Gators and Tigers engaged in a shoving match prior to Saturday’s highly-anticipated encounter. Yes, Malachi Dupree will be lined up at receiver for LSU, but he’ll be lined up against arguably the best corners in the country. Guice rushed for 252 yards in last week’s 38-10 win over Arkansas. LSU’s offense opened with a clock chewing drive which started with quarterback Danny Etling completing a screen pass to running back Darrius Guice that went for 29 yards. LSU might not fall out of the poll, but will be punished for its squandered opportunities.

“ESPN retained the right to televise the game because ESPN initially selected the game for the original air date of October 8”, Vincent said.

On fourth down the Gators needed a stop with three seconds to go in the game. With just two yards, the Tigers would be in position to win the game on an extra point and keep their hopes of a New Year’s Day game alive. Missouri ran all over the Vols going for 420-yards, and the Tigers also picked-up 42-first downs to the Vols 24-first downs. If they do lure someone who can bring back the magic, the rest of the league will have McElwain to blame.

In Florida’s 16-10 upset win over LSU on Saturday, there were moments – the 98-yard touchdown pass, the forced fumble and, of course, the goal-line stand – that will be immortalized on UF’s promotional highlight reels and hype videos for years to come, to be sure.