LSU battles past Florida in Gainesville, 17-16

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — LSU built a two-touchdown lead early in the second half, took advantage of a missed PAT, and pitched a fourth-quarter shutout of No. 21 Florida on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to return home with a 17-16 victory.

LSU (4-2, 1-1 SEC) earned the victory on the defensive side in the fourth quarter, as linebacker Devin White batted down a fourth-down pass in Florida territory that secured the victory. White led the Tigers with 13 tackles including a sack.

The Tigers sacked Felipe Franks five times, as the Florida freshman quarterback finished 10-of-16 passing for 108 yards.

Florida (3-2, 3-1 SEC) was held to 2-of-9 on third downs, while LSU outgained the Gators, 341-302, and held the ball for 33:50.

LSU’s Danny Etling was 9-of-16 passes for 125 yards, while the quarterback ran nine times for 26 yards. Russell Gage scored LSU’s first touchdown and led LSU with 52 of the team’s 216 rushing yards.

The Tigers were 6-of-14 on third downs.

LSU returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 14, when Auburn comes to Tiger Stadium. The game time – either 2:30, 6 or 6:15 p.m. CT – are expected to be announced Sunday, Oct. 8.

The Tigers took the lead with 1:22 remaining in the opening quarter, as Russell Gage took an end-around 30 yards to paydirt to give LSU a 7-0 lead following an 11-play, 86-yard drive.

Florida threated the LSU redzone but had to settle for a 25-yard field goal. LSU led 7-3 with 4:01 left in the first half.

Just before the half, Connor Culp matched the Gators field goal by splitting the uprights with a 38-yard attempt. The Tigers took a 10-3 lead into the lockerroom.

LSU came out of the half and put up another touchdown, as freshman fullback Tory Carter hauled in a 2-yard pass from Danny Etling to give LSU a 17-3 lead.

A pair of third-quarter touchdown runs by Lamical Perine helped the Gators get back into the game, however, a critical missed PAT on the second score at the 1:45 mark of the quarter was the final margin.

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