GAINESVILLE, Fla. – This time last week, LSU coach Les Miles was one of the most negatively scrutinized coaches in college football after a clock management debacle that nearly lost LSU the game against Tennessee.
Tonight was different as LSU faced bitter Southeastern Conference rival Florida at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.
Miles called for a fake field goal with the ball on the Florida 36-yard line with 35 seconds to play, and holder Derek Helton attempted a lateral to kicker Josh Jasper, but the pass flew over Jasper’s head, reminiscent of Colt David in 2007, but the lateral fell short. The trick play netted a five-yard carry and a first down.
It was nearly an illegal forward pass, but the play stood upon review.
Junior quarterback Jarrett Lee then threw a 28-yard pass to senior wide receiver Terrence Toliver that gave LSU a first-and-goal at the Florida 3-yard line. Lee spiked the ball on first down, threw an incomplete fade route pass on second down, then completed the touchdown to Toliver on the same play to give LSU a 33-29 victory, the first time LSU has beaten Florida in Gainesville since 2004.
It was LSU’s third win in 12 matchups at Florida since 1988.
“Not that I didn’t have real confidence in Jasper … I knew the fake was there,” Miles said after the game. “We execute that fake about once every five years. We were certainly due. We execute that fake about 100 percent every day in practice.”
LSU now stands at 6-0, one of two unbeaten teams in the SEC, as Auburn narrowly defeated Kentucky, 37-34, on Saturday night. LSU and Auburn square off in two weeks in Auburn, Ala.
“They didn’t like me very much when we were 5-0. Now we’re 6-0. Hope you guys like me more,” Miles said. “I know a lot of people want to talk about the clock, and I’m sure that makes great conversation, but there’s really bigger fish to fry.”
Miles’ criticism continued this morning with a satirical piece on ESPN’s College Gameday in which his clock management was analyzed alongside a first-grade class learning to tell time.
“I could give a rat’s ass about [the media],” Miles said in response.
LSU next returns home to face McNeese State at 6 p.m. on Oct. 16.
 
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Contact Rachel Whittaker at [email protected].