GAINESVILLE — Florida’s 27-16 win towards LSU ended a five-game shedding streak to the Tigers and revived the Gators’ probabilities to earn a bowl bid. The victory additionally vindicated Scott Stricklin’s Nov. 7 vote of confidence in coach Billy Napier to return for a fourth season per week after a lopsided loss Nov. 9 at Texas led many to query it.
Protection bounces again with vengeance
Every week after Texas embarrassed them, the Gators suffocated LSU a season after the Tigers’ historic efficiency at Florida’s expense.
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was a sitting duck a season after Jayden Daniels ran circles round Florida for an SEC-record 606 complete yards throughout a 52-35 win on his technique to the Heisman Trophy. Florida sacked Nussmeier 7 occasions, overwhelming an LSU O-line that had allowed an SEC-low 6 in 9 video games.
Linebacker Shemar James had 2 sacks whereas finish Tyreak Sapp had 1 amongst his 4 tackles for loss. Deal with Caleb Banks had a monster night time with a sack, pressured fumble and three quarterback hurries.
“We simply needed to return out a brand new week and be refreshed,” Sapp stated. “We simply took accountability and made it our job to place our greatest foot ahead tonight.”
Good time for large recruiting weekend
Considered one of faculty soccer’s finest environments, true freshmen DJ Lagway and Jadan Baugh in starring roles and the protection answering their head coach’s name gave Napier loads to relish.
The Gators hope the recruits readily available on the Swamp had been bought as Florida pushed to enhance the 2025 class, which is presently ranked No. 45 by 247Sports.
Headliners included a pair of 5-star prospects dedicated to different colleges — Birmingham cornerback Na’eem Offord (Ohio State) and Tampa receiver Dallas Wilson (Oregon) — together with Mandarin 4-star receiver Jaime Ffrench (Texas) and Jacksonville offensive lineman Solomon Thomas (Florida State).
Different intriguing prospects included Georgia 4-star defensive lineman Joseph Mbatchou, a former UF commit, and quarterback Tramell Jones, who just lately de-committed from Florida State. In the meantime, the Gators’ win solely reaffirmed the commitments of receiver Vernell Brown III of Orlando and Jalen Wiggins, a 4-star edge rusher from Tallahassee.
Head Ball Coach motivates
At an occasion on the eve of Florida’s win, legend Steve Spurrier inspired followers to “Swarm the Swamp” if his Gators received.
“If Florida wins, hit the sphere!” the 79-year-old stated at his Gainesville restaurant. “Respect for LSU and goalposts keep intact. However once we win, Swarm the Swamp. Spurrier’s can pay the high-quality.”
Spurrier won’t have realized the value tag can be $250,000. Irrespective of: On-field safety wasn’t about to let followers onto the sphere following the college’s long-established strategy.
But the message was loud and clear to the Gators.
“Our gamers acquired wind of that, they usually had been speaking about it earlier at this time,” Napier stated. “I believe it juiced them up a bit of bit.”
Edgar Thompson might be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com