The Florida Gators dropped to 5-5 (3-4 SEC) after losing 52-35 to LSU inside Death Valley. Gator Country provides you with five takeaways from Florida’s week 11 loss to the Tigers.
Gators’ defense couldn’t get a stop in the second halfÂ
Florida’s defense allowed 342 yards in the first half but was able to get much needed stops to keep the Gators in the game. LSU turned it over twice on downs, including a huge goal line stand after the Tigers went 74 yards on their second possession. The Gators held LSU to just 1/5 on third downs as well, forcing a field goal and a punt in the first half.
In the second half, the Gators allowed five consecutive touchdowns to LSU’s No.1 ranked offense while forcing just a singular third down attempt, which was converted.
The key defensive stops early in the contest kept Florida in the game for a while, but they were not able to get those same stops in the second half, which allowed LSU to pull away despite a more productive final 30 minutes from the Gators’ offense compared to the first half.
Jayden Daniels should win the Heisman Trophy
Jayden Daniels should be the favorite for the Heisman trophy following his historic week 11 performance against the Gators. Daniels combined for 606 yards of offense and five touchdowns while becoming the first player in FBS history to throw for at least 350 yards and rush for at least 200 yards in the same game. Daniels’ 85-yard run against the Gators marks the longest TD run by an LSU QB in their program’s history.
The only thing holding Daniels back from being the favorite for the Heisman trophy is LSU’s three loses on the season. If the award truly represents the most outstanding player in college football, it should go to Jayden Daniels. Otherwise, they need to change the definition for the award.
Etienne and Johnson splitting snaps IS beneficialÂ
There’s been a lot of chatter within Gator Nation about how Trevor Etienne doesn’t get enough snaps within Billy Napier’s offense, but I think last Saturday was a perfect example of why it’s beneficial for Etienne and Johnson to split duties.
Etienne led the Gators in rushing yards with 99 on 18 attempts, finding the endzone three times in the contest. Johnson recorded 70 yards on 16 attempts, an average of 4.4 yards per carry. While Johnson was effective on the ground, he provided the biggest spark as a receiving threat, hauling in six catches for 65 yards out of Florida’s backfield.
Both Etienne and Johnson recorded two explosive plays in the contest and appeared to be difference makers for all four quarters. Florida found their most success on the ground in the 2nd half, where they logged 5.1 yards per carry on 23 attempts. Whenever Etienne and Johnson got the football, they appeared fresh and ready to make an impact play. Etienne’s burst was on a different level in week 11.
Gators need to have a different plan for Jordan Travis
The Gators have struggled mightily against dual threat quarterbacks this season and with FSU’s Jordan Travis coming to town in two weeks, defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong better have this Florida team prepared for what’s to come.
In the last two weeks, Florida has really struggled to contain Arkansas’s KJ Jefferson and LSU’s Jordan Travis. Their rushing ability was the difference in those contests. While Jordan Travis hasn’t matched the production of Daniels on the ground, he’s still managed 320 yards on rushing and seven touchdowns in 2023. In 2022, Travis ran for 83 yards and two touchdowns in a win against the Gators.
Containing Travis will undoubtedly be a key to victory for Florida in that contest, and the Gators must figure out a more effective plan to do so.
Florida hasn’t given up on the season
Despite the 5-5 record, I don’t think the Gators have given up on the season. Florida trailed by 10 points three separate times in their matchup with LSU and kept fighting until the end of the game. The Gators hung in there with the No.19 team in the country in front of 102 thousand fans inside one of the tougher environments in all of sports. Despite losing the game by 17 points, the Gators trailed by just 3 points with 10 minutes left.
In week ten, the Gators battled back from down 14-0 against Arkansas. Say what you want about this year’s Florida Gators, but they have not given up yet, and I don’t think they plan on it.