LSU fails to defeat the Gators in nail-biting finish

The SEC East hasn’t had a representative in the top 10 for the title game since No. 5 Missouri in 2013.

Brantley called the raucous celebration that erupted after LSU running back Derrius Guice was stopped inches short of the goal line on the final play “one of the best feelings I ever had as a Gator”.

LSU entered the SEC showdown having allowed an NCAA-best 10 touchdowns and no more than two in a single game, according to the Associated Press (via FoxSports.com), and Florida touted the nation’s third-best defense in terms of total yards allowed per game (267.0).

The LSU defense forced a three-and-out that included linebacker Arden Key’s 10th sack of the season, and the Tigers took possession at their own 37-yard line after a Florida punt.

LSU settled for a 22-yard field goal to tie the game with 12:18 left, and after Florida responded with a field goal to cap a long drive, the Tigers fumbled the ensuing kickoff, leading to another Gators field goal. We were just missing tackles. And Orgeron might be getting ready to head coach his final game at LSU.

A chorus of Florida players also joined in with basically the same sentiment as McElwain. LSU holder Josh Growden bobbled the snap on a field goal attempt, and threw incomplete in the end zone. “Like I said, everybody has games like that”. Florida balked at initial offers to move the game to LSU as the storm approached, or to play at home one or two days after the originally scheduled time.

It meant winning a meaningful road game against a ranked opponent.

But the Tigers weren’t finished, and a busted fourth down play led to new opportunities for LSU.

“That one play last week got away from me, and that one play on special teams got away from me – just like the exact thing that happened to (Jackson) today”, White said.

“They pressure the quarterback, and they have a lot of speed”, Orgeron said. “I guess out of fear, we fought back”.

Cleveland then kicked free from LSU cornerback Donte Jackson and raced into the end zone for a 98-yard touchdown, the second longest passing play in Florida history and the longest in almost 40 years when Cris Collinsworth tossed a 99-yard touchdown against Rice in 1977.

Jennings’ 64-yard pass to Al Riles set up his 9-yard scoring run late in the first half.

Two near-misses, one on each side, defined the first half. Several people viewing warmups captured video they posted on social media. This exasperating loss Saturday should only accelerate what should have already been moving along more quickly and should convince the many in Coach O’s corner to realize the inevitable. The exact same play, the exact same everything.

Running backs: Not only did he fumble in the red zone, but Guice was also denied a game-tying touchdown on the final play of the game.

With Marcus Maye (broken arm) out for the year and Washington likely sidelined, Florida’s other options who could contribute at safety include versatile freshman defensive back Chauncey Gardner, junior nickelback Duke Dawson and freshman safety Jeawon Taylor.

The Florida Gators apparently weren’t scared after all.

LSU will travel to College Station to take on the Texas A&M Aggies next week. Please see our terms of service for more information. AP material published by LongIsland.com, is done so with explicit permission. This includes the preparation of derivative works of, or the incorporation of such content into other works.