LSU rolls past Florida: No. 3 Tigers pick up key SEC win, Gators star QB DJ Lagway continues to struggle

The win establishes LSU on the title-contending tier coming out of a consequential day of SEC action. But the Tigers are different from what we expected. With a 4,000-yard passer returning in Garrett Nussmeier, it was assumed that LSU's offense would be its strength. Through three games, it's clearly the defense. Second-year coordinator Blake Baker's unit is taking a significant step forward, and it's buying the Tigers some time to get their offense in sync. Nussmeier was unspectacular against Florida, and the Tigers struggled to run the football consistently. But if their offense ever does get humming? Look out, because the defense is already looking salty.

Florida's season is already off the rails in mid-September. A road upset of LSU would have smoothed over some of the embarrassment of a Week 2 loss to South Florida. But to no avail, Florida once again could not get out of its own way. Instead of poor game management and bad discipline like it was last week, turnovers were the problem this time. Up next for Florida is a trip to No. 5 Miami, as the Gators take on a red hot Hurricanes squad. Miami will be favored, and a loss would drop Florida to 1-3 with seven SEC opponents and No. 10 Florida State still ahead.

When Florida beat LSU 27-16 last season, Lagway became the first true freshman in Florida history to defeat a ranked opponent at home. His 226-yard passing performance earned him SEC Freshman of the Week and helped establish a positive trajectory for the Gators to close the 2024 season. But all the momentum officially dissipated on Saturday night in a sea of interceptions. Like a handful of other former prized quarterback prospects around the country, Lagway is on the struggle bus. A lack of traditional run game is doing Lagway no favors, but there's no justification for a 5-interception game.

No. 3 LSU's defense rose to the occasion in another spotlight situation on Saturday night, as the Tigers intercepted Florida quarterback DJ Lagway five times in a 20-10 victory. LSU needed all the help its defense could offer amid another subpar offensive effort.

LSU went three-and-out on its first three possessions and continued to struggle in the run game. But even after losing star linebacker Whit Weeks in the first quarter because of a targeting penalty, the Tigers' defense turned in a spectacular effort.

Dashawn Spears started the party with an interception near midfield in the first quarter that ended a once-promising Florida drive. In the second half, the Gators made it into LSU territory three times, but Lagway was intercepted each time. By night's end, he was the first Florida quarterback since Shane Matthews in 1992 to be intercepted five times.

It marked the second time this season that LSU's defense has produced a second-half shutout after the Tigers did the same in a Week 1 win at Clemson. Those strong defensive efforts are defining an LSU team that is suddenly looking like it could perhaps be the SEC's top team.

The Tigers have plenty of issues to sort through, but its improved defense has carried it to a 3-0 start. Up next for LSU is Southeastern Louisiana before SEC play resumes against Ole Miss. This was just the beginning of a brutal league slate for Florida, which is off to a 1-2 start in a critical campaign for fourth-year coach Billy Napier.

DJ Lagway's nightmare night in Death Valley just continued with a potentially decisive fourth interception. He lofted one down the middle into a blanket of coverage and paid the price as Zavion Thomas ran underneath it for what could end up being the final nail in the Gators' coffin, as they are on the cusp of falling to 1-2.

It appeared LSU was going to deliver a haymaker in the form of a 65-yard Garrett Nussmeier completion to Bauer Sharp. But instead of capitalizing on that explosive play, LSU immediately went backwards after recovering a fumble. Then, Garrett Nussmeier threw an ill-advised pass across the middle and got intercepted. What an abysmal sequence from the LSU offense when it had a chance to put the game away.

End 3Q: LSU 20, Florida 10

Yet again, it's self-inflicted problems for Florida that are holding it back. DJ Lagway has thrown three interceptions, and the Gators have been unable to shake the penalty bug. It's going to take some epic heroics in the fourth quarter for Florida to battle back here, especially after a 49-yard punt from Grant Chadwick pinned UF at its own 2-yard line.

Danger Zone for Florida

Florida's last four possessions dating back to the end of the first half have gone interception, punt, interception, punt. LSU's defense is taking control of this game. Now, the offense can inflict a major blow. If LSU can go the length of the field for a touchdown here, it would effectively end this game.

Mid 3Q: LSU 20, Florida 10

Dashawn Spears just picked off DJ Lagway and returned it 58 yards for a pick-six. That's Lagway's third interception of the night as the Tigers continue to hit defensive home runs. Spears was just lurking in the middle of the field, and Lagway apparently never saw him as he targeted J. Michael Sturdivant on a crossing rout.

LSU's defense isn't dominating Florida's offense, not by a long shot. But the Tigers are coming up with explosive defensive plays that are keeping the Gators from capitalizing. On UF's first series of the second half, Davhon Keys and Patrick Payton combined to sack DJ Lagway for a loss of nine on third-and-10. Florida had moved the football into LSU territory, but then the Tigers's defense made a situation-shifting play.

Florida gets the football to start the second half, and the Gators need to be able to run the football. Their longest running play in the first half was seven yards, and lead back Jadan Baugh has just 19 yards on six carries. DJ Lagway has been picked off twice already, and it'd be a tall order to put this game on his shoulders. If you're going to escape Death Valley with a night win, it's not going to be with a finesse style.

LSU hasn't run the football well, either. But if this devolves into a quarterback battle, the advantage is with Garrett Nussmeier, who has homefield advantage and is a veteran of these battles..

HALF: LSU 13, Florida 10

Florida was getting greedy and trying to sneak some points in before the half. But DJ Lagway made a bad read over the middle and was intercepted by A.J. Haulcy at midfield, who brought it back into Florida territory. That set up a 45-yard field goal from Caden Davis on the final play of the first half. The first half was not beautiful, but all the ingredients of a classic Florida-LSU game are here. These teams were chirping aggressively at each other before the game and were going at it again late in the first half. Neither has been able to generate consistent offense. An inability to run the football is to credit for that.

Late 2Q: LSU 10, Florida 10

DJ Lagway delivered a perfectly lofted strike to Aidan Mizell in the corner of the end zone with Florida facing a third-and-9. That was an impressive response for the Gators, who once again had to overcome an early penalty that threatened to stop their momentum before it ever started. Lagway hit Jadan Baugh for a 25-yard pickup to spark the drive.

Mid 2Q: LSU 10, Florida 3

The LSU offense and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier finally got on track with a 23-yard touchdown strike to Zavion Thomas to cap a 10-play, 76-yard touchdown drive. The key play on that series was a 23-yard strike to Aaron Anderson on third-and-8. After a 1 of 6 start, Nussmeier has completed 8 of his last 9. The Tigers haven't established the run yet, but they finally have their passing game established.

END 1Q: Florida 3, No. 3 LSU 0

We have reached the end of the first quarter from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The main takeaway thus far is that the scoreboard may not reflect the amount of action there's been early. Florida had a long touchdown pass called back due to holding, LSU intercepted a pass from Lagway after the Gators were driving and Nussmeier hasn't looked like his usual self. LSU racked up just 45 yards of total offense during the first 15 minutes, while Florida recorded 63.

There is a long way to go in this one, but the final 45 minutes sure should be interesting. LSU will open the second quarter with a chance to tie the game with a field goal.

LATE 1Q: Florida 3, No. 3 LSU 0

Florida almost took a 9-0 lead over LSU, but the play was called back because of holding. Lagway found a wide-open receiver, and it would've been an 87-yard touchdown for Jadan Baugh had the play not been called back. Instead, the Gators will be forced to punt. 

LATE 1Q: Florida 3, No. 3 LSU 0

LSU's offense has punted on each of its first three drives. The Tigers have just 16 yards of total offense. Star quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is 1 of 5 for 7 yards.

MID 1Q: Florida 3, No. 3 LSU 0

LSU's defense just came away with a turnover. Florida quarterback DJ Lagway underthrew a pass intended for J. Michael Sturdivant, and LSU's DB Dashawn Spears intercepted it. That turnover might be the spark the Tigers need to generate some offense after back-to-back punts.

LSU star linebacker Whit Weeks was ejected for targeting and will miss the remainder of the game. 

Here is the video

EARLY 1Q: Florida 3, No. 3 LSU 0

That's back-to-back punts forced by Florida's defense on the road to open this game. On third-and-1, Durham was stopped for no gain. The Gators will take over deep in their own territory.

EARLY 1Q: Florida 3, No. 3 LSU 0

After Florida forced a three-and-out on its opening defensive series, the Gators put up points. Florida kicker Trey Smack drilled a 45-yard field goal to give his team a 3-0 lead with 11:34 to play in the first. Florida quarterback DJ Lagway completed 2 of 4 attempts on that drive for 15 yards.

Good opening series from Florida's defense to force a three-and-out. After LSU running back Caden Durhan picked up 6 yards on first down, Florida forced back-to-back incompletions.

Florida won the toss and deferred to the second half. LSU will get the ball first.

Put Billy Napier all the way back on the hot seat. A year after hot seat talk loomed over everything Florida did before the school gave Napier a public display of confidence, get ready for it to crank up in a way it hasn't before. It is deserved after Napier's pitiful end-of-game coaching display in a 18-16 loss to South Florida last week. From surrendering the ball in only 27 seconds after calling two pass plays when No. 13 Florida needed to burn the clock late in the fourth quarter, to an unfortunate spitting incident that set the Bulls in motion for a game-winning field goal, Napier committed coaching malpractice down the stretch. 

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Florida is limping in after a loss to South Florida, but the defeat was about poor game management, lapses in discipline and substandard execution. The Gators have plenty of talent, and it's way too soon to put them on quit watch. LSU's offense is still finding its way and has yet to illustrate the explosive gear that will likely be required to pull away in SEC games. LSU should win, but Florida's defense can keep it close. Pick: Florida +7.5

Interesting and/or prolific things tend to happen when these teams play. LSU more than doubled up Florida in time of possession last season but managed to lose. In 2022 and 2023 the series belonged to LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, who accounted for 11 touchdowns in two victories. In 2021, Tigers' running back Tyrion Davis-Price racked up a school-record 287 yards on the ground. Famously, the 2020 outcome was decided largely by a cleat-throwing incident that helped LSU get in position for a game-winning field goal. You just never know what's going to happen when LSU and Florida play.

Florida's last road win over a top-three foe came in 1996 when Steve Spurrier's Gators beat No. 2 Tennessee, which was led by Peyton Manning. UF's last road win over a top-five team came at No. 4 LSU in 2009. Visiting LSU at night is especially perilous, and the Gators will likely have to take some chances if they want to earn a breakthrough victory. Florida played it safe on fourth downs in its loss to South Florida and paid the price in the end. Through two games, the Gators have attempted just one fourth down conversion, which ties them for 121st nationally. If there's ever a time to take some gambles, this is it.

With well over an hour until kick, things are already chippy in Baton Rouge. These teams have a tense history — especially recently — and it looks like we're in for another hotly contested battle. It doesn't seem like things escalated too far. But clearly there were a lot of players from both sides that got involved here.

LSU's defense has looked much better through two games under second-year coordinator Blake Baker. The Tigers were especially strong in the second half of their Week 1 win at Clemson, pitching a shutout and eliminating Clemson's run game. However, LSU's offense is still searching for the explosive gear that it was expected to have in 2025. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier still has the nation's best Heisman odds, and the Tigers will need him to be a star at some point -- perhaps even against Florida -- if they are going to reach their potential.   

A win over Florida helped LSU get a woebegone season back on track last season, as the Gators used their 27-16 victory to spark a four-game winning streak to end the 2024 campaign. Florida will be hoping for another season-shifting result on Saturday night as it travels to face the No. 3 Tigers.

A stunning Week 2 home loss to South Florida quickly raised the temperature on fourth-year Gators coach Billy Napier and elevated the stakes for this SEC opener. An upset road win over a top-three opponent is exactly what Napier needs to salvage his team's uneven start.

The good news for Florida is that the No. 3 Tigers looked vulnerable in an uninspiring 23-7 Week 2 win over Louisiana Tech. LSU's sloppy effort drew the ire of coach Brian Kelly, who is facing Year 4 pressure of his own. This is the highest LSU has been ranked since 2019, when it marched to the national title with a 15-0 record behind the play of Joe Burrow, Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase.

With a star quarterback in Garrett Nussmeier and a defense that shined in a marquee Week 1 win at Clemson, LSU appears to have the ingredients necessary to compete for SEC and national championships. However, beating the Gators at home is a must if those aspirations are going to be practical. After all, the Tigers don't break through and reach the College Football Playoff this season under Kelly, when will they? 

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