So, that’s what a Southeastern Conference game is supposed to look like.
While the matchup was expected to be all about LSU’s (6-1, 3-1 SEC) high-powered offense and Florida’s conference-leading defense, the Tigers’ defense stole the show in a 17-6 victory against the Gators (4-2, 1-1 SEC).
“When you look at how we played today, everyone bought into each other and [defensive coordinator John Chavis] put us in the right positions to make plays,” said junior defensive tackle Anthony Johnson. “Everybody just played unselfishly. We played as one unit.”
After allowing a combined 91 points in the three previous games, the once-vaunted Tiger defense finally showed some teeth as it kept the Gators out of the end zone for the entire game. The Tiger defense didn’t allow an offensive touchdown for the first time in the 2013-14 season.
The pressure the defensive line was able to put on Florida sophomore quarterback Tyler Murphy was key in the defenses’ improvement. Junior defensive end Jermauria Rasco was credited with four quarterback hurries to go along with one tackle for loss.
Sophomore defensive end Danielle Hunter had his best game in a Tiger uniform and was a thorn in the side of the Gators all day, constantly popping up in the backfield to disrupt plays. Even when Hunter couldn’t get to the ball carrier or quarterback, he was able to influence the Gator offense, using his 6-foot-5-inch frame to bat down two passes at the line of scrimmage.
Murphy said the Tigers did a good job of applying pressure, and that pressure pushed him into making mistakes he wouldn’t normally make.
“[Hunter] is just one of those guys who is coming of age,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “Playing in his first year as a starter, he’s a very talented cat.”
The defense combined for five quarterback hurries, four sacks and eight tackles for loss. The four sacks against the Gators equals the total sacks the Tigers racked up in their three previous SEC games.
The pressure allowed the secondary to have its best game of the season, only allowing 129 yards in the game. The pressure applied by the defensive front and the secondary’s success go hand-in-hand with each other, according to Chavis.
“There is a couple of pieces that go together, the pressure and the coverage,” Chavis said. “We got the pressure tonight and that’s what made [the pass defense] work as well as it did.”
The defense was spurned into this performance by Chavis, according to a few of the LSU starters. Chavis had an emotional meeting with his players during the week, which connected with many of the defensive players in a big way.
“Coach Chavis told us all week ‘Big time players play in big time games,’” Johnson said. “He pointed out a couple of guys like myself, Ego Ferguson, Lamin Barrow, Jalen Mills. He told us as a unit it was time to step up and do what we do best and that’s play tackle football. He got really emotional telling us that’s how we play football and I’m really proud of him.”
Sophomore cornerback Jalen Mills said normally Chavis doesn’t talk a lot, so for him to come out of character and get emotional with the team gave them more energy and helped them play better.
“We knew going in we were going to be young and we knew we were going to have some growing pains,” Chavis said. “I never expected them to be as bad as they were. But the good thing is our kids never gave in, they kept fighting, they kept preparing and that’s what it’s all about. Our guys have been willing to prepare, and that’s what you saw tonight, our guys’ willingness to prepare.”
So, that’s what a Southeastern Conference game is supposed to look like.
While the matchup was expected to be all about LSU’s (6-1, 3-1 SEC) high-powered offense and Florida’s conference-leading defense, the Tigers’ defense stole the show in a 17-6 victory against the Gators (4-2, 1-1 SEC).
“When you look at how we played today, everyone bought into each other and [defensive coordinator John Chavis] put us in the right positions to make plays,” said junior defensive tackle Anthony Johnson. “Everybody just played unselfishly. We played as one unit.”
After allowing a combined 91 points in the three previous games, the once-vaunted Tiger defense finally showed some teeth as it kept the Gators out of the end zone for the entire game. The Tiger defense didn’t allow an offensive touchdown for the first time in the 2013-14 season.
The pressure the defensive line was able to put on Florida sophomore quarterback Tyler Murphy was key in the defenses’ improvement. Junior defensive end Jermauria Rasco was credited with four quarterback hurries to go along with one tackle for loss.
Sophomore defensive end Danielle Hunter had his best game in a Tiger uniform and was a thorn in the side of the Gators all day, constantly popping up in the backfield to disrupt plays. Even when Hunter couldn’t get to the ball carrier or quarterback, he was able to influence the Gator offense, using his 6-foot-5-inch frame to bat down two passes at the line of scrimmage.
Murphy said the Tigers did a good job of applying pressure, and that pressure pushed him into making mistakes he wouldn’t normally make.
“[Hunter] is just one of those guys who is coming of age,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “Playing in his first year as a starter, he’s a very talented cat.”
The defense combined for five quarterback hurries, four sacks and eight tackles for loss. The four sacks against the Gators equals the total sacks the Tigers racked up in their previous three SEC games.
The pressure allowed the secondary to have its best game of the season, only allowing 129 yards in the game. The pressure applied by the defensive front and the secondary’s success go hand-in-hand with each other, according to Chavis.
“There is a couple of pieces that go together, the pressure and the coverage,” Chavis said. “We got the pressure tonight and that’s what made [the pass defense] work as well as it did.”
The defense was spurned into this performance by Chavis, according to a few of the LSU starters. Chavis had an emotional meeting with his players during the week, which connected with many of the defensive players in a big way.
“Coach Chavis told us all week ‘Big time players play in big time games,’” Johnson said. “He pointed out a couple of guys like myself, Ego Ferguson, Lamin Barrow, Jalen Mills. He told us as a unit it was time to step up and do what we do best and that’s play tackle football. He got really emotional telling us that’s how we play football and I’m really proud of him.”
Sophomore cornerback Jalen Mills said normally Chavis doesn’t talk a lot, so for him to come out of character and get emotional with the team gave them more energy and helped them play well.
“We knew going in we were going to be young and we knew we were going to have some growing pains, I never expected them to be as bad as they were,” Chavis said. “But the good thing is our kids never gave in, they kept fighting, they kept preparing and that’s what it’s all about. Our guys have been willing to prepare, and that’s what you saw tonight, our guys’ willingness to prepare.”
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LSU sophomore cornerback jalen Mills (28) tackles Florida quarterback Tyler Murphy (3) on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore running back Jeremy Hill celebrates a first down run Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Florida Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) attempts a pass Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Florida Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore safety Corey Thompson (12) tackles Florida freshman running back Kelvin Taylor (21) during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior defensive tackle Anthony Johnson (90) celebrates the start of the fourth quarter during the 17-6 victory against Florida in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior running back Terrence Magee (14) rushes toward the first down during the 17-6 victory against Florida in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore cornerback Jalen Mills (28) attempts to tackle Florida senior wide receiver Solomon Patton (83) Saturday, October 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against Florida in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior defensive end Jordan Allen (98) sacks Florida quarterback Tyler Murphy (3) Saturday, October 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against Florida in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU freshman defensive back Tre’Davious White (16) celebrates after a play Saturday, October 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against Florida in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU senior fullback J.C. Copeland (44) attempts to drive down the field despite a block from a Florida defender Saturday, October 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against Florida in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore safety Micah Eugene (34) and junior defensive end Jermauria Rasco (59) sack Florida junior quarterback Tyler Murphy (3) Saturday, October 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against Florida in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore safety Micah Eugene (34) and junior defensive end Jermauria Rasco (59) sack Florida junior quarterback Tyler Murphy (3) Saturday, October 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against Florida in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) attempts to drive down the field despite a block from two Florida defenders Saturday, October 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) attempts to drive down the field despite a block from a Florida defender Saturday, October 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) attempts to drive down the field despite a block from a Florida defender Saturday, October 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU senior running back Alfred Blue (4) tackles Florida freshman wide receiver Ahmad Fulwood (5) Saturday, October 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against Florida in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU senior running back Alfred Blue (4) attempts to tackle Florida freshman wide receiver Ahmad Fulwood (5) Saturday, October 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against Florida in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU freshman defensive back Tre’Davious White (16) sacks Florida quarterback Tyler Murphy (3) Saturday, October 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against Florida in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore running back Jeremy Hill (33) is surrounded by Florida defenders Saturday, October 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior defensive end Jermauria Rasco (59) fumbles the football Saturday, October 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against Florida in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior defensive end Jermauria Rasco (59) fumbles the football Saturday, October 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against Florida in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore cornerback jalen Mills (28) celebrates a tackle Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU defensive players celebrate a fourth down stop Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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Mike the Tiger holds a dead gator Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore running back Jeremy Hill rushes toward the first down Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Florida Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore running back Jeremy Hill rushes toward the first down Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Florida Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore running back Jeremy Hill rushes toward the first down Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Florida Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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Florida head football coach Will Musechamp (left) and LSU head football coach Les Miles (right) meet for a handshake Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 after the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior defensive end Jordan Allen (98) is helped into the locker room Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the 17-6 victory against Florida in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU football fans display posters Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 before the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Florida Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU senior running back Alfred Blue (4) tackles Florida junior defensive back Marcus Roberson (5) on Satuday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior linebacker D.J. Welter (31) and sophomore safety Corey Thompson (12) attempt to tackle Florida senior wide receiver Solomon Patton (83) on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) catches a pass Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) catches a pass Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore safety Micah Eugene (34) sacks Florida junior quarterback Tyler Murphy (3) on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore safety Micah Eugene (34) and LSU senior linebacker Lamin Barrow (18) tackle Florida junior quarterback Tyler Murphy (3) on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) pitches the ball to sophomore running back Jeremy Hill (33) on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Florida Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) hands off the ball to sophomore running back Jeremy Hill (33) on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Florida Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. catches a pass Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU senior linebacker Lamin Barrow (18) tackles Florida junior running back Mack Brown (33) on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore defensive end Danielle Hunter (94) celebrates after blocking a pass Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore running back Jeremy Hill rushes toward the first down Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Florida Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. celebrates Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 before the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU head football coach Les Miles runs to join the team in the Alma Mater after the 17-6 victory against Florida in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU senior line backer Lamin Barrow (18) tackles Florida sophomore running back Valdez Showers (10) during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior defensive tackle Anthony Johnson (90) sacks Florida junior quarterback Tyler Murphy (3) during the Tigers’ 17-6 victory against the Gators in Tiger Stadium.
