Scuffle compels Leonard Fournette to play vs. UF

But when time expired on Saturday, the orange-clad Gators were storming the field in euphoria after a dramatic goal-line stand preserved 16-10 triumph over the heavily favored, 16th-ranked Tigers – and wrapped up Florida’s second straight the Southeastern Conference East Division crown.

Florida kicker Eddy Pineiro lands a 36 yard field goal attempt.

Saturday’s contest is a makeup from the originally scheduled October 8 game in Gainesville that was postponed due to Hurricane Matthew.

While “Coach O” still has his supporters – and Alleva may be chief among them, for all we know – he no longer can be considered in any circle as the frontrunner for the job. Appleby was 5-12 in the first half for just 33 yards. Guice gained a yard.

That was just the start of a string of unproductive plays for LSU that started at or inside the UF 10-yard line.

The numbers don’t seem to add up… but one of the most memorable victories in Florida history wasn’t about numbers. Trailing 13-10 with 4:29 left, LSU’s fumbled the ball without the help of Florida.

Florida’s offense didn’t flinch and began marching down the field the next drive.

That, as well as the original postponement, stirred up some bitter feelings and animosity on both sides that carried over to Saturday’s makeup date.

You might categorize Florida-Alabama as an extreme mismatch.

“This was one of those games where you keep trying to play better as the game goes along”, said Blakeney, who scored 26 points in LSU’s previous game against Southern Mississippi. A basket by Romelo Banks left the Tigers (3-0) ahead 67-63 with 4:11 left.

A huge momentum swing in the third quarter changed the game. Blakeney made two field goals and a pair of foul shots. When LSU emerged for the kickoff, Fournette was in full gear. Before the game, UF players danced to music blasting through the speakers at Tiger Stadium. A 14-3 lead was right there, and that may have done it. Etling completed a 6-yard pass to Malachai Dupre to the Gator 7, and three consecutive runs got LSU to the Florida 1.

LSU will play out the string. Overall, it was a sound winning performance by the special teams.

His No. 21 Gators (8-2, 6-2 SEC) will meet No. 1 Alabama at the Georgia Dome again (after next week’s trip to No. 17 Florida State).

In front of him was an open expanse of grass and instead of hauling in the interception and running free into the end zone, the ball bounced off his hands. All the Tigers needed was a touchdown to tie, and an extra point to win.

Moments earlier, after the Gators stopped Moore inside the 1 on third down, McElwain called a timeout to have the officials review the spot. But they beat SC last week, and they got the stop at the goal line they needed to go back to Atlanta, where they’ll face a monumental challenge against the Crimson Tide (after a nonconfence game with Florida State next week). The Gators defense pulled him back, stopping the Tigers just inches short. Hopefully they can win in Tallahassee and then take that into the game against the Tide.