By : Izaiah Ortiz
(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
No. 3 LSU picked up an important SEC win Saturday night, defeating the Florida Gators 20-10 in a game defined by turnovers and defensive opportunism.
Turnovers Tilt the Field
Florida QB DJ Lagway had a rough night, tossing five interceptions — two of which were returned for touchdowns. LSU's secondary made them pay. Dashawn Spears took one 58 yards to the house, and Tamarcus Cooley and DJ Pickett also produced picks in the late going to seal the win.
LSU’s Offense Wasn’t Flashy, But Effective When Needed
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier went 15-of-27 for 220 yards with one TD and an interception. The offense struggled to move the chains consistently—especially on the ground—but two big plays and favorable field positioning kept LSU in control.
Penalties and Missed Opportunities
Despite outgaining LSU and winning time of possession, Florida’s mistakes loomed large. They committed several penalties (including a holding call that blanked out what looked like a huge 87-yard touchdown) and failed to protect the football throughout the entirety of the game.
Strong Defensive Performance Under Pressure
LSU’s defensive front got consistent pressure, forcing Lagway into tough throws. Linebacker Davhon Keys led the team in tackles, and the secondary was sharp. Safety Dashawn Spears led LSUs defense with two interceptions and returned one for a touchdown. Fellow safeties Tamarcus Cooley AJ Haulcy joined in the gift giving by grabbing their own interceptions marking both their first for the Tigers. Even after a key ejection (Whit Weeks for targeting), LSU leaned on its depth and discipline.
Game Flow & Turning Points
Tight First Half: Florida drew first blood with a 45-yard field goal. LSU responded with a field goal of its own, then a scoring drive led by Nussmeier connected with Zavion Thomas for a 23-yard TD. Lagway answered just before halftime, but LSU snatched the lead back with another long field goal as the half expired.
Third Quarter Seal: Spears’ pick-six in the third quarter gave LSU breathing room and put them ahead by 10. Florida’s attempts to mount a comeback were unsuccessful due to another turnover and a failure to capitalize on field position.
What This Means Going Forward
LSU improves to 3-0 and 1-0 in the SEC, showing the kind of resilience and defensive strength that could carry them in tougher matchups.
For Florida, this marks another tough loss. They showed flashes, but costly mistakes—turnovers, penalties, failure in critical third-down situations—continue to derail them. The Gators will need cleaner execution in upcoming games to avoid a tailspin.