Live Updates: No. 18 LSU Football vs. Florida in Week 11 Battle
LSU (6-3, 4-2 SEC) hosts Florida (5-3, 3-3 SEC) on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in Tiger Stadium in a pivotal cross-divisional matchup for both teams.
LSU goes into the contest looking to enhance its bowl resume, while the Gators are trying to gain bowl-eligibility. The Florida game is the first of 3-straight in Tiger Stadium to close out the regular-season for LSU.
Here's what Brian Kelly said ahead of the matchup, pregame notes and a live thread from Saturday night in Tiger Stadium:
What Brian Kelly Said:
“The things that stand out to me, in terms of Florida, are they have some great wins,” Kelly said of Florida. “The offensive production by Graham Mertz this year. The running game is as good as there is in the SEC. This is a really good offense. It’s built on the running game and the play-action.”
Pregame Notes:
- LSU RB Logan Diggs is OUT with an upper-body injury for Saturday night's contest. Expect a deep rotation with Josh Williams, John Emery and Kaleb Jackson carrying the weight.
- LSU DT Mekhi Wingo is OUT and will be replaced by DT Jordan Jefferson alongside Maason Smith inside.
- LSU CB Javien Toviano earns the start once again opposite of Sage Ryan. Toviano, a true freshman, started last weekend against Alabama.
- In the secondary, expect freshman Ashton Stamps and Jeremiah Hughes to see the field on Saturday night. With Ryan and Toviano starting, the Tigers will utilize a few bodies in the defensive backfield.
Live Thread/Updates:
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First Quarter
The Florida Gators have won the coin toss and elected to defer until the second half. LSU will start the game with the football.
Jayden Daniels begins the opening drive with two targets to Malik Nabers. On the second attempt, Nabers picks up 38 yards on third and nine. Tigers near the red zone.
LSU wastes no time getting into the end zone after a quick seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Josh WIlliams punches in the score from inside the five-yard line.
Score Update: LSU 7, Florida 0
Sage Ryan and Javien Toviano earn the starts at cornerback for LSU. Florida goes with a pair of rushing attempts to Montrell Johnson and a quick route to Ricky Pearsall to open their first drive.
Florida attacking the edges, using tempo and seeing immediate success with the RPO on their opening drive. Gators are torching the Tigers' defense to start.
LSU with no resistance on defense as Florida marches down the field for an effortless touchdown to even the score. Eight-play, 75-yard drive ends in a touchdown by Gators wide receiver Eugene Wilson III.
Score Update: LSU 7, Florida 7
LSU treks down to the one-yard line on an 11-play drive led by Josh Williams and John Emery on the ground, but Florida comes up with a critical fourth down stop to get the ball back. On the drive, Emery went down with a non-contact knee injury. Gators take over.
LSU DL Bradyn Swinson comes up with a huge play on third down after a strip sack on Graham Mertz. Javien Toviano recovers and the Tigers will begin their drive from inside Florida territory.
The Bayou Bengals go three-and-out after taking over in Florida territory, go for it on fourth down and the Gators once again come up with a huge fourth down stop. Florida takes over on their own 41-yard line.
End of 1Q: LSU 7, Florida 7
Second Quarter
Both defenses have shown up in a big way through the first 16 minutes of play. The LSU defense steps up once again to force a three-and-out as Florida punts it away to the Tigers. Gregory Clayton fair catches on the 10-yard line.
Jayden Daniels displaying why he is a true Heisman Trophy candidate on the Tigers' opening drive of the second quarter. He connects with Brian Thomas Jr. over the top for a 41-yard gain followed by a 38-yard run. LSU is in the red zone.
LSU gets inside the Florida 15-yard line and settles for a 28-yard field goal by Damian Ramos. Tigers retake the lead.
Score Update: LSU 10, Florida 7
The LSU front seven continues wreaking havoc through the first half with Bradyn Swinson, Harold Perkins and Co. making their presence felt early. The Tigers force another Florida punt. 8:34 remaining in the half.
Jayden Daniels keeps it on an RPO and shows off his speed down the right sideline. The Heisman candidate takes it 85 yards to the end zone to reignite the LSU crowd.
Score Update: LSU 17, Florida 7
Florida continues responding with haymakers of their own as Graham Mertz leads the Gators inside the 10-yard line looking to even the score.
Trevor Etienne gets in the end zone for the Gators to make it a one-score game in Death Valley. 8-play, 75-yard touchdown drive for Florida. 4:30 remaining.
Score Update: LSU 17, Florida 14
LSU punts it away after a short run by Kaleb Jackson and back-to-back incompletions by Jayden Daniels. Florida fair catches at the 10-yard line.
Halftime: LSU 17, Florida 14
Third Quarter
Florida opens the third quarter with back-to-back runs by Montrell Johnson with Paris Shand getting into the backfield and breaking up a pass from Graham Mertz on third down to force a Gators punt. LSU takes over on their own 19-yard line.
The Gators have had no answer for Jayden Daniels' legs after the Heisman candidate breaks open another 25+ yard run followed by a quick pass to Josh Williams who turns it up field for a 45-yard gain. The Tigers are inside the 10-yard line.
LSU RB Kaleb Jackson punches in the touchdown from five yards out with the Bayou Bengals making it a two-score game. 6-play, 81-yard scoring drive.
Score Update: LSU 24, Florida 14
Florida opens the drive with a deep shot from Graham Mertz to Ricky Pearsall to put the Gators on the LSU 39-yard line.
Trevor Etienne breaks open a touchdown run from 21 yards out and the Gators strike back after a four-play, 75-yard scoring drive.
Score Update: LSU 24, Florida 21
True freshman Kaleb Jackson muffs the ensuing kickoff and Florida recovers on the LSU 23-yard line. Huge momentum shift in Tiger Stadium.
Here comes Florida... The Gators go with a quarterback sneak by Graham Mertz who gives Florida the lead after a five-play, 23-yard drive.
Score Update: Florida 28, LSU 24
Jayden Daniels continues torching Florida with his wheels after another monster touchdown run. Daniels takes it 51 yards on the ground to give LSU the lead once again. He's up to 220 rushing yards.
Score Update: LSU 31, Florida 28
LSU forces a Florida three-and-out after back-to-back plays for Trevor Etienne and an incompletion from Graham Mertz to Kahleil Jackson. Tigers take over on their own 30-yard line.
The Jayden Daniels Show continues in Tiger Stadium after Daniels connects with Brian Thomas Jr. for a 52-yard gain. LSU is in the red zone. 3:05 remaining in the quarter.
Jayden Daniels delivers a ball over the middle to Noah Cain for a 6-yard touchdown reception. Tigers extend the lead to double digits. 5-play, 70-yard scoring drive.
Score Update: LSU 38, Florida 28
End of 3Q: LSU 38, Florida 28
Fourth Quarter
Florida's hurry-up offense has been trouble for the LSU defense, and after another quick drive, the Gators punch the Tigers in the mouth once again. A 13-play, 75-yard drive ends in another Etienne touchdown, his third of the night.
Score Update: LSU 38, Florida 35
Jayden Daniels is playing on another level right now. He connects with Malik Nabers for a 44-yard gain and follows it with a 37-yard touchdown strike to Brian Thomas Jr. It's his night once again. 3-play, 75-yard scoring drive.
Score Update: LSU 45, Florida 35
LSU forces another Florida punt after Sage Ryan comes up with a pass breakup on fourth and three. The Tigers will get the ball back with 6:34 remaining.
LSU QB Jayden Daniels becomes the first quarterback in FBS history to have 350 yards passing and 200 yards rushing in a single game.
Daniels leads the Tigers inside the 10-yard line before connecting with Brian Thomas Jr. for a seven-yard touchdown.
Score Update: LSU 52, Florida 35
FINAL: LSU 52, Florida 35
