Florida records signature win over No. 22-ranked LSU

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA — With a boatload of top recruits in attendance, Billy Napier and the Florida Gators just recorded a huge win over No. 22-ranked LSU, coming out on top 27-16.

Quarterback DJ Lagway and wide receiver Elijhah Badger accounted for much of the Gators’ offensive success; however, it was running back Jadan Baugh who put the nail in the coffin with a 55-yard rushing touchdown at 3:48 left in the game. That score from the freshman tailback pushed the lead to double digits, leading to a strong victory for Florida.

At the same though, the MVP might be the Gators’ defense as a whole. LSU had given up six sacks all season, and on Saturday, the Gators recorded seven of their own. They were relentless and lived in the offensive backfield for much of the game, giving Garrett Nussmeier plenty of fits.

Florida moves to 5-5 (3-4), while LSU falls to 6-4 (3-3). The Tigers have now lost three consecutive games and no longer in the running for the SEC Championship.

FOURTH QUARTER

-Turnover on downs for LSU with 47 seconds left to seal the deal. The pass was intended for Mason Taylor, but Trikweze Bridges broke up the pass SCORE: Florida 27-16, 0:47.

-Florida running back Jadan Baugh just came up huge for the Gators, recording a 55-yard touchdown to give the Gators their biggest lead of the game. 3-play, 75-yard drive. SCORE: Florida 27-16, 3:48.

-LSU’s Damian Ramos has drilled a 38-yard field goal. Fifteen play, 54-yard drive. SCORE: Florida 20-16, 5:18.

-With another short field, this time Florida made the most of it. DJ Lagway completed a 36-yard pass to Elijhah Badger and Ja’Kobi Jackson finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. SCORE: Florida 20-13, 13:58.

THIRD QUARTER

-The Gators couldn’t take advantage of the great field position after the drive began with a false start. Soon after it was 4th-and 18.

-LSU has lost a fumble and the Gators recovered at the Tigers’ 34. It was a wild play — two forced fumbles on the same play.

-That was a career long for Smack.

-Florida’s Trey Smack just attempted a 55-yard field goal — and it was good. And we are tied again. Eight-play, 38-yard drive. SCORE: 13-13, 3:07.

-LSU’s Damian Ramos has drilled a 45-yard field goal to put the Tigers in front for the first time Saturday. The drive covered 62 yards in 15 plays. SCORE: LSU 13-10, 5:54.

-The Gators picked up a quick first down on their opening drive of the second half, but couldn’t get anything after that. Following a punt, LSU takes over at the Tigers’ 10.

SECOND QUARTER

-LSU’s Damian Ramos just nailed a 50-yard field goal and we are tied again. Twelve play, 47-yard drive. SCORE: 10-10, 0:10.

-Florida’s Trey Smack just attempted a 49-yard field goal — and it was good. That completed a nine-play, 44-yard drive. SCORE: Florida 10-7, 3:27.

-The Tigers are 7 of 10 on third down. Florida is 1 of 3.

-LSU currently has a 166-108 edge in total offense.

-LSU has tied it up on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Garrett Nussmeier to Aaron Anderson. The 14-play drive covered 84 yards and took 5:51 off the clock. SCORE: 7-7, 7:39.

-A Florida drive just stalled at the UF 48 and the Gators were forced to punt. LSU takes over at the Tigers’ 16.

FIRST QUARTER

-LSU just had a 12-play, 41-yard drive that ended with a missed field goal of 51 yards. The Tigers have 82 yards right now, but haven’t really gotten into any kind of offensive flow.

-Gators quarterback DJ Lagway had an easy interception dropped and then he made LSU pay for it. Four plays later, Lagway capped an 80-yard drive with a touchdown pass to Elijhah Badger that covered 23 yards. He also had a 34-yard completion on the drive to Chimere Dike. SCORE: Florida 7-0, 7:12.

-The Gators just forced another punt. The Tigers got a first down on a fasemask but couldn’t get anything going after that. Florida takes over at the UF 20. LSU has 36 total yards after two drives.

-A holding call and another penalty put Florida at first-and-25. So the Gators ended up having to punt on their first series. Missed opportunity given the great starting field position.

-Florida just made a huge fourth-down stop and takes over at the LSU 46. The Tigers started the drive with a quick first down but that’s all they got. Florida defensive back Dijon Johnson made the fourth-down tackle.

-The Gators won the toss, but elected to defer until the second half. Florida will kick off.