SEC Football: What We Saw, What We’ll See in Week 12-13
By James Bowers
WHAT WE SAW: FLORIDA TAKES OUT LSU; WINS SEC EAST
The idea of “delay of game” as a good thing certainly applies for the Florida Gators. When Hurricane Matthew set its sights on Gainesville and shuttered Ben Hill Griffin Stadium before UF’s October 8 date with LSU, Jim McElwain’s group was in a tough spot.
Sophomore QB Luke Del Rio had finally mended from a knee injury sustained against North Texas, but the time off left his ability to handle the LSU defense a question mark. Austin Appelby, his backup, split the two September games he started in Del Rio’s absence.
Florida Gators
While Del Rio’s play showed bright spots, his faltering performance in the 2nd half against Tennessee (in which the Gator offense had only one drive over nine yards in length) raised concerns among the UF contingent about his ability to handle the LSU defense.
As some accused the University, particularly AD Jeremy Foley, of trying to dodge the contest; officials from Birmingham, Baton Rouge, and Gainesville agreed to move the game to November 19, necessitating a change of site to Tiger Stadium and the buyout of two mid-major schools (South Alabama and Presbyterian, respectively) which LSU and UF were scheduled to play this week; they ended up playing each other, with USA winning 31-7.
By this time, Del Rio had sustained another injury, to his shoulder, against Arkansas, and Appelby again stepped in, starting a November 12 game against South Carolina. He showed great improvement, completing 17 of his 21 passes for 201 yards and two scores in a 20-7 win over the Gamecocks. With a top ranked defense and LSU’s offense mired in futility, conditions were ripe for a Florida win as McElwain and company reached the bayou.
Defense was indeed the name of this game, which was preceded by a scuffle in which Leonard Fournette allegedly shoved a Florida assistant coach. A punt filled opening half ended with LSU holding a 7-3 lead. The Tigers opened the second half by capping a 73 yard drive with a turnover on downs.
After a 98-yard touchdown pass from Appelby to wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland, Florida had the lead, which it padded with a couple field goals to extend the verdict to 16-10, as LSU’s offense failed to click with several blocking errors.
The end of this game would prove to be one of the most painful in LSU history. Florida’s highly regarded defense orchestrated a goal line stand in the closing seconds, forcing Tiger running back Derrius Guice to fumble at the Florida 1-yard line, sealing a victory and trip to Atlanta for the orange and blue.
Not only did Ed Orgeron lose this game, but many observers believe that the loss will keep the popular 55 year old from finally losing an interim title. Detractors state that he eliminated himself from contention for the permanent LSU job with this defeat as well as a 10-0 loss to Alabama on November 5.