Linebacker Shemar James drops LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier for one of his two sacks in Saturday's win over the Tigers. (Photo: Bella Rosa/UAA Communications)
Florida Defense Rattles Tiger Cage, Sacks Nussmeier Seven Times
Saturday, November 16, 2024 | Football
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By: Noah White, FloridaGators.com Student Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — You know that feeling when you get off a roller coaster? You're happy with the ultimate result, but you're not sure how you got there, and you know you know you're going to feel it the next day.
You can get a similar experience by going to a Florida football game for about the same cost.
With 31 seconds left on the clock in the third quarter, the eyes of roughly 90,000 fans strained as the Gators' defense lined up on the LSU 10-yard line. Florida struggled to get off the field in third-and-long situations throughout the game and faced yet another.
George Gumbs Jr. placed himself along the edge of the LSU offensive line, staring down LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. In a flow of motion, the grasp of the lunging Gator wrapped itself around the Tiger, pulling it into the depths of The Swamp. At that moment, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium rattled in a way that would concern any self-respecting structural engineer — a way it hadn't in way too long.
"It was one of those momentum-changing plays," Gumbs said. "We talked about these guys all week ... And what they were going to do. What about us?"
With Nussmeier collapsing for a 5-yard loss, the Tigers had to punt from deep in their end zone. That's when the game turned. In the next minute, Florida receiver Elijhah Badger hauled in a 36-yard pass, and running back Ja'Kobi Jackson stumbled into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown.
Momentum had swung. The Gators led 20-13 and never looked back.
If there was one thing most expected entering Saturday afternoon, it was for LSU to keep Nussmeier standing upright. The Tigers had only allowed six sacks through nine games, and their offensive line, featuring the likes of projected top draft picks in juniors Will Campbell and Emory Jones, wasn't planning on letting that total rise.
While losing to Alabama 42-13 last week, the Tigers had only given up two sacks. But similar to other parts of the contest, things didn't go as expected.
While Gumbs' sack was the most notable, Florida's defensive line was affectionate with Nussmeier all night. UF concluded the game by sacking Nussmeier seven times, one more than LSU's season total entering the contest. Linebacker Shemar James led the Gators with two sacks, while five others added one.
"I thought we stayed on top of them,'' Florida coach Billy Napier said. "We certainly affected the quarterback."
When presented with their performance Saturday night, Florida's defensive linemen were even surprised.
"Seven?" defensive lineman Caleb Banks said. "Wow … we was trying to get to him. It was kind of personal."
Last year, the Gators only sacked LSU twice while allowing 701 yards. The contest on Saturday evening meant something more to the Gators. Rebounding from their performance last year and, more notably, their performance last week was at the forefront of the Gators' minds.
Only seven days ago, the Florida defense had concluded one of its worst performances of Napier's tenure, giving up 49 points to Texas. Following the game, the Florida coaching staff faced questions about the direction of UF's program, specifically on the defensive end.
Those inquiries were justified. Against the Longhorns, the Gators provided virtually no pressure. Edge rusher T.J. Searcy recorded UF's lone sack in a contest in which Florida gave up 352 passing yards. Texas got almost anything it wanted on the offensive end, making Gators fans concerned about what monstrosities an efficient LSU offense might perform on them. But as has happened in many moments this season, they experienced whiplash.
"Last week was unacceptable. They took ownership of that," Napier said, crediting the vastly improved performance to his team's resolve. "We tackled better; the rush and the coverage worked better together."
Napier emphasized that his defensive line's surprising performance was only possible because of the Florida defensive back group. The dwindling depth of UF's cornerback room had become a theme, with multiple starters out, but the remaining contributors stepped up.
"We covered them ... a lot of those are coverage sacks," Napier said about Florida's notable sack total.
The Gators' backend held LSU's receiving group in check, and while not as jarring as the defensive line's effect, the Tigers passed for 60 yards fewer than their season average.
But following the script of their play so far this season, Florida's defense wasn't entirely consistent. While the Gators pressured Nussmeier often, LSU thrived in long-yardage situations.
The Tigers often overcame Florida's disruptions through big third-down plays. In the first half, LSU picked up four third downs of 5-plus yards, undoing Florida's work to put them behind the chains. The Tigers finished the game 13-for-24 on converting third downs, a concerning 54.2% percent.
Napier's response to the third-down issues was brief: "We gotta do a better job getting off the field." He added that third-down defense would be a focus as the Gators prepare for No. 10 Ole Miss.
Gators edge rusher George Gumbs Jr., No. 34, celebrates Florida's victory over LSU on Saturday. (Photo: Bella Rosa/UAA Communications)
Another struggle Napier pointed out was the time of possession in the game. LSU ran 92 offensive plays to Florida's 43 while holding the ball for over 42 minutes. That isn't entirely the fault of Florida's defense, but Napier hopes to balance things out more against a prolific offense like Ole Miss'.
The 45-year-old coach emphasized that he was content with his defense's improvement, especially in the game's final minutes.
LSU's long-yardage proficiency reared its head down the stretch. The Tigers pushed toward the end zone late in the fourth quarter, picking up a third down and two fourth downs to put themselves 22 yards from the end zone. But Florida's defense came through again, holding LSU to a field goal behind two sacks on LSU's final drive.
"They have some pretty solid guys on their O-line," defensive lineman Tyreak Sapp said about the final moments. "We wanted to come out and prove ourselves tonight."
The Gators dominated LSU's backfield to draw out the season-defining victory, but it wasn't without ups and downs. The Gators, sitting at 5-5, will need another strong defensive showing against Ole Miss next week as it pursues a once-unimaginable bowl berth.
Florida's defense has made great strides as the season has continued but may require another sizable jump next week. With that in mind, the Gators' defenders don't seem too concerned.
"[We're just] trying to be present," Sapp said. "We gonna go at it one game at a time, one day at a time, one week at a time, and in the game, one snap at a time and one drive at a time.
"We've set ourselves up to do bigger and better things."
