LSU and Florida have played annually since 1971, and this weekend the Tigers travel to the Swamp for the first time since 2014.
The series has been a marque matchup every season, and only once since 1990 have neither LSU or Florida been ranked in the top 25 heading into the game. The two teams have combined for four of the Southeastern Conference’s 10 national titles since 1998.
Here are the five of the best games between LSU and Florida in the last 20 years.
1997: No. 14 LSU 28, No. 1 Florida 21
The 1997 win was the first time LSU beat Florida — who were defending national champions — in 10 years, and still remains one of the school’s biggest wins.
The Tigers were lead by junior running back Kevin Faulk and junior quarterback Herb Tyler. The two combined for 300 yards of offense, and Tyler scored two of LSU’s touchdowns in the game.
LSU took the lead for good early in the fourth quarter when senior cornerback Cedric Donaldson intercepted a Doug Johnson pass and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown.
2007: No. 1 LSU 28, No. 9 Florida 24
LSU welcomed the defending champions into Tiger Stadium in front of a record-setting crowd.
The Gators and sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow led LSU 24-14 heading into the fourth quarter. LSU roared back in the fourth quarter, scoring a quick touchdown on fourth and goal from the 3 yard line on a drive set up thanks to a Tebow interception.
LSU got the ball back, and went for it on fourth down twice before reaching the Florida 2 yard line. Senior running back Jacob Hester plowed into the end zone, giving LSU the lead with a little over a minute to go.
The game ended on a Hail Mary pass by Tebow that was knocked down by freshman safety Chad Jones.
2010: No. 12 LSU 33, No. 14 Florida 29
Following a last-second miracle victory against Tennessee, the Tigers traveled to the Swamp to play Florida.
The Tigers opened the fourth quarter by extending its lead to 26-14, but Florida quickly responded by returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown.
The two teams traded possessions before Florida drove 80 yards in 4½ minutes and scored the go-ahead touchdown.
LSU quickly drove down the field, before coming up short on third and one on the Florida 34 yard line. Coach Les Miles decided to trot out his field goal unit in an attempt to tie the game at 29.
Senior kicker Josh Jasper lined up to kick the ball, but sprinted to his right and caught a lateral from the holder on the bounce. Jasper was able to pick the first down, and three plays later junior quarterback Jarrett Lee connected on a fade route from the 3 yard line with senior receiver Terrence Toliver to take a 33-29 lead with six seconds.
2004: No. 24 LSU 24, No. 12 Florida 21
Following its first national championship in 44 years, LSU lost two early-season conferences games to Auburn and Georgia, and headed to Gainesville hoping to salvage its season.
Things looked bleak after Nick Saban’s squad after going down 21-7 with a minute and 39 seconds left on the clock. The Tigers responded quickly with a seven play, 80-yard touchdown drive before time expired.
The Tiger defense stiffened after halftime, shutting out Florida and only allowing 110 yards.
Down four, LSU got the ball at the 50 yard line with just a little over two minutes remaining. The Tigers reached Florida’s 10 yard line with 33 seconds left on the clock.
Senior quarterback Marcus Randall connected with junior running back Joseph Addai in the flats. Addai sprinted upfield toward the pylon, and scored a touchdown to give LSU a 24-21 lead with 27 seconds left.
2015: No. 6 LSU 35, No. 8 Florida 28
In the first matchup of top 10 teams in Tiger Stadium since 2012, LSU relied on a fake field goal once again to defeat Florida.
The Gators took an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter before the Tigers scored four touchdowns in the second to take a 28-14 lead into halftime. Sophomore quarterback Brandon Harris connected with sophomore wide receiver Malachi Dupre for two touchdowns, and sophomore running back Leonard Fournette scored two touchdowns of his own.
Florida clawed its way back into the game in the third quarter with two touchdowns of its own, including a 72-yard punt return by receiver Antonio Callaway to tie the game at 28.
The Tigers responded by marching down the field, but was forced send out the field goal team on fourth down from the 16 yard line.
Miles once again reached into his mad hat, and called for a fake.
Senior quarterback Brad Kragthorpe lateraled the ball to junior kicker Trent Domingue, who raced 16 yards into the end zone for what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown.
LSU junior punter Trent Domingue (14) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015, during the Tigers' 35-28 victory against Florida in Tiger Stadium.
