The week that started with a sucker punch ended with a punch in the gut as the Florida Gators (3-2, 2-2 SEC) came up two yards and three points short in a 30-27 loss at the hands of LSU (5-2, 2-2 SEC).
The Gators struck first when Andre Debose electrified the more than 88,000 fans that filled Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with a 64-yard punt return for a touchdown. It was the fifth return touchdown of Debose’s career but just his first punt return for a score.
LSU answered with a touchdown drive of their own and Florida countered with 10-straight points.
It was an incredible game with the Tigers taking swings at Florida, the Gators absorbing blows, ducking a few and throwing punches of their own. Unfortunately for the Gators’, LSU’s last punch was the biggest and hardest of the night.
“We had our opportunities, countless,” Muschamp said before divulging into a defensive miscommunication that led to LSU converting on a third-and-25, and an eventual touchdown.
This was about more than just the game today.
The week began with allegations that freshman quarterback Treon Harris sexually assaulted a fellow student. Later that night a disagreement over cleats turned physical and two more Gators made headlines for their actions off the field. All week Gator Nation tossed and turned awaiting a resolution. One was reached on Friday when the accuser withdrew her previous statement. Harris was reinstated but couldn’t play in the game on Saturday.
“It has been a very taxing week,” Muschamp said. “It’s a very difficult situation for everyone involved. It’s a learning experience for all of us.”
Harris provided the spark two weeks ago in Knoxville but he was unable to do that this week against LSU, sitting in the coaches box with Kurt Roper as he called the game.
That left the game in Jeff Driskel’s hands. The redshirt junior had a very “Jeff Driskel” passing night, completing 14-of-25 for 183 yards a touchdown and two interceptions. Both interceptions were on tipped passes, not Driskel’s fault, but the quarterback did have a fumble early on in the game that led to LSU’s first touchdown.
Driskel played better than his stat line would read. The game plan was obvious. Florida wanted to pound the ball on the ground. That task was made difficult with Matt Jones missing all of the game with an ankle injury.
So Driskel took on the burden of being the running game. He carried the ball 21 times for 71 hard fought yards. He scored a touchdown with his feet in the first quarter and another through the air in the fourth.
Driskel even led what should have been a game-winning drive.
Florida received the ball down three points and on their own 25-yard line. Driskel walked out with his team and exuded confidence. The first play Demarcus Robinson beat his man, as he had done so many time before on Saturday. He streaked down the field and Driskel — spotting him — heaved one long and high.
It was identical to two plays earlier in the games — both times Driskel underthrew Robinson and once was intercepted.
But this time, in the biggest moment the game had seen, he threw a strike. Robinson caught the pass in stride, zigzagged his way around defenders before finally stepping out at the two-yard line. 73 yards was the official total on the play.
Two yards is all that stood between the Gators and their third conference win of the season. The Gators ran Brandon Powell up the middle and then Driskel. Still on the outside of the end zone looking in, Florida turned to the air.
Driskel rolled out and found a wide-open Tevin Westbrook. Driskel delivered a strike that hit Westbrook in the hands but the defensive end turned tight end couldn’t hold on to the ball, instead collapsing in a disappointed heap in the end zone.
Frankie Velez would tie the game and the defense gave Florida an opportunity to win the game when they forced their fifth three-and-out of the night.
Two passes to Brandon Powell picked up 13 yards and a first down. Driskel was leading the offense better than he had before. On first down he fired a ball into double coverage. The ball hit Latroy Pittman, bouncing off of his arms and into the eager hands of Rickey Jefferson who returned it 23 yards to the Florida 36.
LSU would kick of 50-yard field goal with just second left on the clock. It was the final gut punch to a week that started off with a sucker punch to the face.
The Gators left the field on Saturday night tired, beaten up, black and blue. They’ll move one and they have to with Missouri coming in for homecoming next week. But this loss will sting for a while.
Thanks Nick. Man o’ man…knock out kick indeed. I’d take a chuck Norris kick to the head for the team if it would have helped- rather than that! One thing I gotta think in all of this, particularly with the recruits, this team doesn’t have any quit in them. They faught a hard battle. And I can’t imagine the recruits didn’t notice that and you know they have to see themselves as being potential contributions to get us to the other side of all of this. We’re just really one of two plays a game from making a difference out there. One or two more first downs, one or two more catches. One or two more good throws. One or two better coaching descisions. How fired up would the “D” be if they were allowed some rest because the offense was doing their share? We’re so close in some of these games and yet from my perspective, respectfully, quite far away from the greatness we once knew. I’m beyond expecting to win any more, so, I’ll just’impatiently’ await change…Go Gators.