The 2022 season for LSU was filled with a lot of ups and downs. The Tigers had to navigate through slow starts in order to come out with a victory to lead them to 10-win season, a feat that many LSU fans would have taken given the preseason expectations. We look back on the great moments from this season and begin the countdown of the Top 5 LSU Games of the 2022 Season. Here is No. 4 on the list, where the Tigers traveled to Gainsville to take on the Florida Gators.
LSU Slow Out the Gates, but End the Half Strong:
LSU was coming off an embarrassing loss at home to Tennessee the week prior to their trip to Gainesville. On the other hand, Florida was coming off back-to-back home wins against Eastern Washington and Missouri. The Tigers were in need of a bounce-back win and looking to get back on track in conference play.
It didn’t take long for the Gators to find the endzone on their first offensive possession of the game. Florida just needed 59 seconds to take an early lead as Anthony Richardson found Justin Shorter for a 51-yard touchdown to put them up 7-0 with 14:01 left in the first quarter. LSU would answer on their first drive of the game as John Emery hauled in a seven-yard touchdown from Jayden Daniels to even the score at 7-7.
The back-and-forth battle would continue as both offenses would answer each other on their next drives. The Gators busted another big play as Montrell Johnson ran it in for a 39-yard touchdown to put Florida back up 14-7 with 2:00 left in the first quarter. The Tigers would go on another long drive to keep up with Florida as Daniels ran it in for a one-yard score to put the score at 14 all.
LSU’s defense was finally able to get a stop the next time the Gators had the ball, but special teams mistakes cost the Tigers as Jack Bech fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Rocco Underwood. Florida would take advantage of the costly mistake with a touchdown of their own as Johnson ran it in for his second touchdown on the night.
The Tigers continued the answer every Florida score with a score of their own as they were able to even the game at 21. Daniels threw his second touchdown of the night as Brian Thomas Jr. hauled in a 24-yard pass. LSU’s defense was able to stop the Gators on a quick three-and-out and they give their offense a chance to strike before halftime.
LSU was able to do just that as Daniels continued his hot streak with another passing touchdown. This time, he found Jaray Jenkins for a 54-yard score to give LSU the 28-21 lead heading into the locker room.
The Tigers Stave Off A Late Florida Comeback:
LSU would continue to dominate on the offensive side of the ball as they were able to extend their lead with their first offensive possession of the second half. Daniels would run it in for a nine-yard touchdown to put the Tigers up 35-21 with 13:17 left to play in the third quarter.
Florida would face their first double-digit deficit of the night and they were in need of an answer. The Gators were able to move the ball down the field, but the Tiger defense stepped up when Florida decided to go for it on fourth and four. Richardson’s pass would fall incomplete and LSU would take over on downs.
The Tigers would continue to flex their muscle as they took their biggest lead of the night. Daniels ran it in for another touchdown as LSU took a commanding 42-21 lead in the final minute of the third quarter. Florida would respond quickly as Richardson broke off for a 81-yard touchdown run to cut the Tigers lead to 14.
The Gator defense would finally be able to stop LSU from finding the endzone on their next drive and they were able to crawl back into the game with a one-yard touchdown run by Trevor Etienne. The touchdown run would decrease LSU’s lead to seven with 7:39 left to play. LSU would be able to drain most of the clock on their next drive and they were able to get much needed points to increase their lead. Damian Ramos nailed a 47-yard field goal to go up, 45-35 with 1:52 left in the game.
Florida wasn’t able to convert on a fourth and 20 as the Tigers were able to go in victory formation to get a huge road win in the SEC. LSU’s high-powered offense would lead them to a 45-35 win in Gainesville.
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