The energy in Tiger Stadium never fails to be electric, and LSU football’s Week 3 game against the Florida Gators was no different.
It was the return of the Gold Game, a tradition Death Valley hasn’t seen in years. Fans were equipped with LED wristbands for an in-game lightshow experience, something first introduced last season against Ole Miss. It was also Mike the Tiger’s 9th birthday.
Most importantly, it was the start of SEC play for the Tigers and a chance to avenge last season’s 16-27 loss in Gainesville — which they did. LSU put the early struggles behind them to outlast Florida 20-10, capping off another 1-0 week to move on to 3-0 overall.
This outcome wasn’t made possible without some bumps along the way. It wasn’t the prettiest win, but like every night, things don’t always go as planned.
“That’s the name of the game, it’s adversity,” LSU tight end Bauer Sharp said. “We have a next play mentality and a 1-0 mindset… That’s just the nature of the game, so we got to keep moving on. Rely on the defense to make plays and bounce back.”
The first drive of the game saw two incomplete passes from Garrett Nussmeier. He appeared stressed in the pocket and the offense was slow to start. In comparison, DJ Lagway and Florida were quick to make calls and execute, which stumped LSU’s defense early on.
The Gators were the first to get on the board after a targeting call on Whit Weeks put them at the LSU-29. Despite a Mansoor Delane hurry at third-and-8, Florida finished off the drive with a 45-yard field goal.
Florida not only made something out of its first drive, it also got a big break after Weeks’ targeting call had him ejected. The preseason All-American led LSU and was second in the conference with 125 tackles last season. His absence was felt, but Davhon Keys was a good fill-in with 14 total tackles on the night.
Worry began to ensue after Lagway connected with Jadan Baugh on an 87-yard touchdown pass thanks to a hole in LSU’s defense, but the score was quickly nullified after a flag on the play. Knijeah Harris was called for holding, setting Florida back 6 yards at its 7-yard line.
Luckily for the Tigers, this possession didn’t result in points for the Gators, and it seemed to sway the momentum LSU’s way.
To start LSU’s fifth drive, Nussmeier escaped pocket pressure and scrambled up the middle to gain 9 yards for the first down, but a flag was thrown once again. Another holding penalty, this time on LSU center Braelin Moore, put the Tigers back 10 yards at the Florida 30-yard line for a replay of the first down attempt.
This was no problem for LSU and Nussmeier, though, who quickly rebounded and threw a 23-yard pass to Zavion Thomas for the Tigers’ first touchdown. After Nussmeier only threw one touchdown through the first two games, this was a good sign for LSU as it took the lead 10-3.
Florida responded with a touchdown of its own, but LSU’s defense just couldn’t be contained otherwise. On the night, LSU intercepted five of Lagway’s pass attempts, the most by a Tiger team since 2020 against Ole Miss. LSU’s all-time record is six against Mississippi State in 2007.
One of those interceptions was made by AJ Haulcy, which then set Damian Ramos up for the 45-yard field goal. The Tigers went up 13-10 before going into halftime.
Although they got off to a quick start in the first half, the Gators were shut out in the second half as LSU’s defense continued to make plays.
Dashawn Spears emerged as the Tigers’ playmaker, who’s to thank for two of LSU’s five interceptions. He was responsible for the first one in the first quarter, and the highlight of the night occurred on Florida’s third-and-18 after a 58-yard pick-6 return.
“His performance tonight has been a long-time coming,” LSU head coach Brian Kelly said. “He has been grinding. Every day he comes in and works hard, as well as looking for an opportunity to get on the field and make an impact.”
Lagway’s lacking performance was capped off by his DJ counterpart when LSU’s Pickett went up for the fifth and final interception.
“We felt DJ Lagway was never settled in the pocket,” Kelly said. “We moved the pocket and there was great pressure. He could never settle and most of their interceptions were out of rhythm throws.”
This out-of-rhythm showing for Lagway was a result of LSU’s pressuring defense. The Tigers had 78 to Florida’s 50 tackles and their five interceptions were returned for 82 yards, while the Gators picked off 1-for-7. LSU also sacked Lagway three times.
The offense saw one of its better nights thus far into the season, but the playcalling remains a stressor for Tiger fans. It may have kept it together against this unranked Gator squad, but the gauntlet ahead in SEC play won’t let up as easily.
The Tigers have another chance to amp up its offense at home before hitting the road for more tough challenges. LSU returns for its third-straight home game against Southeastern Louisiana next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6:45 p.m. on SEC Network.
