The Quick Slant: LSU 17, Gators 16

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Gators celebrated wildly on LSU's field a year ago.

This time it was LSU doing the dancing after its 17-16 win over the No. 21-ranked Gators.

"They came in, got after us on the line of scrimmage,'' Florida head coach Jim McElwain said. "The difference in the game was third downs. There's no denying that at all."

Florida struggled to convert third downs on offense (2 of 9) and had trouble stopping LSU on third down (6 of 14), especially in the first half as the Tigers outgained the Gators 204-135 prior to halftime.

A week after a season-high 467 yards against Vanderbilt, the Gators managed only 302 yards on Saturday.

"That's life in the SEC. Guys are hurting in that locker room and they should hurt,'' McElwain said. "We need to come back and have a good week. The disappointing thing is obviously not holding serve at home."

For an instant recap/analysis of today's game, here is The Quick Slant:

*****

WHAT IT MEANS: The Gators lose their first SEC game of the season and drop back to the pack after winning their first three league games. For LSU, it was sweet revenge for what happened last season in Baton Rouge. Florida's offense remains a work in progress and it showed again on Saturday as the Gators managed only 135 yards in the first half and 302 overall. Quarterback Feleipe Franks took limited shots downfield and finished 10 of 16 for only 108 yards.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Despite trailing by just one in the fourth quarter, the Gators had three drives in the fourth quarter with an opportunity to take the lead. The Gators ran 13 plays but gained just 37 yards. "We've got to finish at the end,'' quarterback Feleipe Franks said. "That's what it comes down to. That's on me."

STAGGERING STATISTIC: Gators kicker Eddy Pineiro had attempted 46 extra points in his two seasons and made 46. He hooked his PAT after Perine's 1-yard run with 1:45 left in the third quarter. The miss proved to be crucial.

SUBPLOT: LSU showed up ready to play from the start, taking control of the line of scrimmage in the first half. Florida rallied in the second half, but in the end, the Gators had to watch the Tigers celebrate and run around Florida Field much like they did a year ago in Baton Rouge after defeating LSU to clinch a second consecutive SEC East title.

UP NEXT: The Gators host Texas A&M in the Aggies' first trip to Gainesville since joining the SEC in 2012. Texas A&M hosted No. 1 ranked Alabama on Saturday night.

Gators Calendar

The Quick Slant: LSU 17, Gators 16

Players Mentioned

Feleipe Franks

Eddy Pineiro

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