The Quick Slant: Gators 16, LSU 10
Saturday, November 19, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter
Florida uses a goal-line stand to hold off LSU and clinch a second consecutive SEC East title.
They beat LSU on the road, spoiling the Tigers' Senior Day and more importantly, clinching a second consecutive SEC East title with a goal-line stand at the end.
The hush that came over Tigers Stadium was deafening on the game's final play. Final: Florida 16, LSU 10.
In a game dubbed by some as the Hurricane Bowl, Florida's defense delivered a Category 5 victory.
The offense served up three field goals by Eddy PIneiro and a 98-yard touchdown pass from Austin Appleby to Tyrie Cleveland.
"Our young guys played old. That's good to see,'' Florida head coach Jim McElwain said of his injury-riddled team. "That was a heckuva game."
THE QUICK SLANT
WHAT IT MEANS: The Gators return to Atlanta to play in the SEC Championship Game. Florida faces No. 1-ranked Alabama on December 3. Also, Florida head coach Jim McElwain became the first coach in conference history to lead his team to the league championship game in his first two seasons.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Florida's defense. LSU had first-and-goal at UF's 7-yard line with 50 seconds remaining. The Tigers picked up 6 yards on the first two plays, but nothing on their next two. Gators defensive back Marcell Harris and defensive lineman Jordan Sherit helped stop Derrius Guice on the final play to set off a Gators' celebration. Caleb Brantley forced a Guice fumble earlier in the game inside Florida's 10-yard line as UF's defensive rose to the occasion when it had to Saturday.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: Florida quarterback Austin Appleby connected with receiver Tyrie Cleveland for a 98-yard touchdown pass to put the Gators up 10-7 in the third quarter. The pass is the longest in Gators history against an SEC opponent, the longest at Tigers Stadium by an opponent, and the second-longest in school history. The only one longer is the 99-yard scoring pass quarterback Cris Collinsworth threw to Derrick Gaffney in 1977 against Rice.
SUBPLOT: This game was originally scheduled for October 8 at The Swamp. Due to Hurricane Matthew, the game was canceled and later rescheduled for Baton Rouge after LSU officials refused to negotiate playing the game in Gainesville as scheduled. Didn't matter. The Gators got the best revenge of all and now get LSU at home the next two seasons.
UP NEXT: Florida travels to Tallahassee next week for the annual showdown with in-state rival Florida State. The Gators seek to snap a three-game losing streak against the Seminoles like they did against the Tigers.
