To see a video from the LSU vs. UF game, click here.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida dominated LSU in every fashion Saturday at The Swamp, knocking the then-No. 4 Tigers out of the game early and keeping them down for the duration.The Tigers (4-1, 2-1) appeared discombobulated in all facets of the 51-21 loss to then-No. 11 Florida (5-1, 3-1) — showing visible jitters through fumbles, interceptions and defensive breakdowns.”We just played like crap,” said junior running back Charles Scott.Aside from their own faults, the Tigers gave credit to Florida’s array of offensive threats.The Gators racked up 475 yards in total offense, and Heisman Trophy quarterback Tim Tebow completed 14-of-21 passes for 210 yards. He rushed for one score and connected with Percy Harvin for two touchdowns, including a career-long 70-yard touchdown pass in the opening drive.Florida jumped out to a 20-0 lead in the second quarter that took the wind out of LSU’s defense.”That was one of the best games, for an offensive performance, that I’ve seen in my life,” said senior defensive end Tyson Jackson. “Those guys came out and were scoring points from all over the field. We couldn’t stop them.”Not only could the Tigers not stop Florida, but they couldn’t find consistent offensive production to counter the Gators either.Redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrett Lee started for the Tigers but could not convert a single first down in the first quarter. Florida’s defense held LSU to just three total yards in the first 15 minutes of play.Lee finished the night 23-of-38 for 209 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.Scott’s streak of four straight 100-plus yard rushing performances ended Saturday. LSU accumulated just 80 rushing yards, and Scott was held to 35 yards on 12 carries. He also fumbled the ball on a botched handoff in the second quarter, marking the first fumble lost by an LSU tailback in 385 carries.The Tigers scored at the end of the first half to narrow Florida’s advantage to 20-7. The momentum appeared to carry over to the second half when LSU scored on the first drive to cut the lead to 20-14.”We thought it was going to be a game then,” said junior wide receiver Brandon LaFell. “We thought, ‘We’re back in it.'”But Florida was quick to answer with two touchdowns before the third quarter concluded. The 34-14 advantage entering the fourth quarter proved too much for LSU to overcome.Lee and sophomore Andrew Hatch executed a dual quarterback system during parts of the game. Hatch primarily rushed the ball but did complete 2-of-3 passes for 33 yards. He carried the ball four times for 14 yards and one touchdown.LSU coach Les Miles said his team “never got in-tune” except for a few offensive drives.”Losing is a nasty taste,” Miles said. “Anytime you lose a game like this, it’s everybody. It’s me, it’s the coaching staff, it’s the offense, defense and special teams. It’s the call, and it’s the player. We’re all in it together.”Miles said he did not anticipate the blowout and was actually quite confident entering The Swamp.He said Sunday he was encouraged after reviewing film and watching many players give “a damn good effort.””I saw a number of defensive guys playing their butts off,” he said. FALL-OUTThe 30-point loss cost LSU dearly in the rankings, dropping the Tigers to No. 13 in the Associated Press poll and No. 14 in the USA Today Coaches’ poll.Florida vaulted to No. 5 in the AP poll and No. 7 in the coaches’ poll. The Gators were ranked No. 11 in the AP and No. 12 in the coaches’ poll last week.INJURY UPDATELSU may have left Florida with wounded pride, but they escaped The Swamp with minimal injuries.Miles said Sunday that junior tight end Richard Dickson is nursing a bruise to his leg but is expected to practice this week.Freshman cornerback Patrick Peterson is fully recovered after experiencing some cramps during the game.The status of junior defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois, who did not travel to Florida because of a groin injury, remains uncertain.The Tigers play South Carolina in a 7 p.m. ESPN-televised game Saturday in Columbia, S.C.—-Contact Amy Brittain at [email protected]