GAINESVILLE — Florida football has never really been the same since a loss to LSU in 2020 on a fog-shrouded Senior Night at the Swamp.
Before veteran defensive Marco Wilson tossed an LSU player’s shoe during the final two minutes that ultimately cost the Gators the game, UF was 29-6 under coach Dan Mullen and in the thick of the College Football Playoff race.
The Gators are 21-28, including 0-4 against LSU, since that 37-34 loss following a last-minute 57-yard field goal by Cade York barely visible to even those on the field. Entering LSU, UF trends toward a fourth straight losing season, including three under Billy Napier.
One of the SEC best rivalries has lost some luster. The Gators (4-5, 2-3 SEC) have dropped five straight to the Tigers (6-3, 3-2), including a pair of double-digit losses in a matchup routinely decided in the fourth quarter.
The latest meeting in a series played every season since 1971 pits two teams coming off lopsided losses featuring defensive collapses.
During a 49-17 no-show at Texas, the Gators were torched by Quinn Ewers for a career-high 5 touchdown throws.
“We went to battle with a parachute on our back,” Napier said Wednesday. “As soon as it didn’t go our way, we pulled the parachute, and it was disappointing. We got to challenge the maturity of our team.”
If the Gators do not respond, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier surely will shake off his recent struggles at their expense. The son of former UF offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier is second in the SEC with an average of 318.4 yards passing and 21 touchdowns throws.
But he has just 3 scoring tosses in the past three games against 5 interceptions — 2 during a 42-13 home loss to Alabama to give him 11 in 2024.
LSU will have to contain the 1-2 punch of tailbacks Ja’Kobi Jackson and Jadan Baugh, who average a combined 164 yards the past three games and have combined for 11 touchdowns. The Tigers’ struggling defense has allowed a 20 rushing touchdowns, most in the SEC, and 4.32 yards per carry, 15th of 16 conference teams.
“When they’re running the ball hard, it’s fun to block for them,” left tackle Austin Barber said. “It’s just fun to see those guys hit the crease and take it for some yards. We’ve got to continue to do that.”
Two rivals each coming off consecutive losses in need of a win sets the stage for hard-fought game in the Swamp with bowl eligibility in the balance for Florida.
“That’s our goal,” defensive back Trikweze Bridges said. “We say we have three games left in the regular season. We’re ready for that fourth game.”
Coaches: Brian Kelly 26-10 (310-106-2 overall); Billy Napier 15-19 (55-31 overall)
Quick slant:LSU leads the series 34-33-3. Napier is 2-14 against ranked foes. A loss would end Kelly’s run of seven straight seasons with double-digits wins, the past two at LSU.
About LSU: Nussmeier and the passing game spearhead an offense with the SEC’s least productive run game (114 yards per). Top targets are senior Kyren Lacy (46 catches, 697 yards, 7 touchdowns), sophomore Aaron Anderson (39, 641, 4) and just tight end Mason Taylor (43, 419, 2) — the son of NFL Hall of Famer Jason Taylor. LSU’s tradition of strong defense is a thing of the past. The Tigers are 13th in total defense a season after finishing ahead of only Vanderbilt defensively. LSU’s 28 sacks rank fourth in the SEC. The Gators need to account for senior defensive ends Bradyn Swinson, who has a team-high 8 sacks, and Sai’vion Jones (4.5).
About UF: True freshman quarterback DJ Lagway is on track to return from a hamstring strain after he didn’t appear on Thursday’s injury report. The Gators could use him, having yet to throw a touchdown pass since walk-on quarterback Aidan Warner replaced him during the second quarter of a Nov. 2 loss to Georgia. UF also expects to get back receiver Elijhah Badger, who missed the Texas game. Badger averages 23.3 yards on 24 catches and complements leading receiver Chimere Dike (28 catches, 523 yards). Meanwhile, Florida’s defense looks to bounce back after allowing a season-high points and yards (562) and likely setting one for missed tackles. STAR Aaron Gates (career-high 8 tackles) remained a bright spot, while true freshman linebacker Myles Graham (5 stops, forced fumble) showed promise.
3 things to watch
Pass protection: The Gators sacked Ewers just once after Georgia and Vanderbilt combined for 9 during the previous two games. UF faces an LSU front that has allowed an SEC-low 6 sacks, with preseason All-SEC tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones leading the way. UF has allowed just 13 sacks itself, tied for second in the conference.
Third-down defense: The Gators and Tigers struggle for stops on the money down. Florida allows a 40% conversion rate (48 of 120) — 12th in the SEC. LSU’s opponents convert 44.07% (52 of 118) — 15th in the SEC.
LSU’s Caden Durham:UF can’t lose sight of the true freshman tailback, who is versatile, while possessing sprinter’s speed. He averages 5.68 yards on 81 carries and 11.2 on 18 receptions for 662 yards from scrimmage and 8 scores.
Up next …
LSU at Florida
When:3:30, Saturday, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
TV: ABC; Radio: AM 540/FM 93.1 WFLF, Sirius/XM 137 or 190
Weather: 74 degrees, 0% rain chance
Favorite: LSU by 4 points
Online: orlandosentinel.com/gators; @osgators on X
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
