LSU sophomore quarterback Brandon Harris dropped back on third down and nine with less than a minute left in the half. The Florida Gators had just stolen momentum away from the Tigers with a four play, 80-yard drive that took just 44 second off the clock.
With third-and-long and little time left, Harris launched a pass down the field in the direction of Malachi Dupree. LSU probably would have been content with an arm punt; Florida had no timeouts and Dupree was standing near the Florida 15.
Marcus Maye was thinking the same thing. The redshirt junior looked up spotted the ball but lost track of Dupree and then the ball. Dupree caught the ball, spun around and fell into the end zone to give LSU a 28-14 half time lead.
The past two years that would have been it for the Florida Gators. They would have packed it in and rolled over.
“We had a choice to make at halftime,” redshirt senior Jake McGee said. “They took the momentum back but it was good to see guys never really, it’s something we’ve had all year, improve each game, a no quit attitude.”
In the first half Florida allowed Leonard Fournette to rush for 100 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Brandon Harris had 189 yards on 10-of-12 passing with two scores. After a fumble and forced punt on the first two drives the defense gave up 288 yards and four touchdowns on the next four drives. LSU didn’t have a three-and-out in the first half and dictated the pace of play with their offense and defense.
The coaching staff gathered the team together and it was business as usual. They went over game plans for the second half, made corrections from the first half and then the players policed themselves.
“It wasn’t really much that had to be said… We have a lot of guys that care about this program, this team and about this season,” McGee said. “The leaders on the team sort of had to get that message across that we gotta get going.”
Florida came out in the second half and needed the defense to make a stand. Down 14 points and with all the momentum on LSU’s sideline. The defense forced a three-and-out — the first they forced all game — and handed the ball to Treon Harris and the offense. Harris and the offense marched 66-yards down the field for a touchdown and, just like that, the belief that the team had in itself showed dividends.
“I’m going to tell you what: I’m really proud of our football team,” Jim McElwain said after the game. “This Gator football team is a good football team, too. Don’t forget. And they handled themselves in a great way. They got down, gave up that late one at half and then battled back and tied it up.”
On the back end of the Will Grier suspension the Gators were almost a double-digit underdog heading into the game with the Tigers. The guys in Las Vegas don’t build palatial casinos by losing bets, and they were confident that Florida would walk out of Death Valley bruised and bloodied. Instead, Florida will leave Tiger Stadium with their heads held high. They walked into LSU an gave the No. 6 team in the country a much fight as they could handle and only succumbed to the Tigers after a flea flicker and a fake field goal did them in.
“You know what? It’s kind of a badge of honor,” McElwain said. “They think they’ve got to fake one to beat us. It’s alright.”
The Florida Gators showed you a lot out on the field tonight. They’re a good football team — much better than anybody expected they would be at this point. They’re no longer undefeated but they remain in the driver’s seat in the SEC East and they certainly opened some eyes with their comeback that fell just short of Antonio Callaway’s outstretched arms on the final play of the game.
The players have rallied around each other. That might not have been the case last year and the credit for the change in their makeup has to go to the new guy leading them.
“You got a head coach that cares about us a lot,” McGee said. “It’s something that I think is what allows us to sort of have that next gear and next level to go to. You know the guy you’re playing for each day is all in and loves each and every one of us.”
Down 14 at the half in Death Valley, we’ve got them right where we want hem. This team has no quit in them, the Gators fought back in a very hostile arena. A to be expected “hat trick” and a rare miss by the incredible Callaway were the difference. The Gators still control their destiny. Coach Mac has this team believing in themselves. Go Gators!
We are very fortunate we have a great new coach and remarkable staff. Fabulous effort. Now to regroup and take the East. We just might have another opportunity against these guys. But first things first. A little mid-season break, regroup and fine tune. This team has dealt with diversity quite well. Just another lesson. Here’s to a great two weeks of preparation. It is great to be a Florida Gator GO GATORS! :)