HONOR ROLL
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Lucas Krull grew up idolizing Tim Tebow, a left-handed quarterback big enough to play tight end.
So imagine how wide-eyed Krull was when Tebow spoke in the locker room before Florida’s game against LSU. Krull was even more star-struck when Tebow congratulated him afterward.
A seldom-used tight end, the 6-foot-6 Krull lofted a perfect pass to Feleipe Franks on a trick play that set up No. 22 Florida’s winning touchdown in a 27-19 victory against fifth-ranked LSU (5-1, 2-1 SEC) on Saturday.
“I was like, ‘Hey, can we get a picture?’” Krull said. “He was like, ‘Yeah, of course. Great throw. Great team win.’ ”
The Gators (5-1, 3-1) scored all their points after the end of the first quarter, when Tebow became the sixth player inducted into the school’s ring of honor.
“I didn’t want him to let him down that way,” said Florida coach Dan Mullen, who was Tebow’s offensive coordinator for two national championships. “I know winning that game was kind of like a little cherry on top to make sure it was all smiles.”
With Tebow watching much of the game from the sideline, Florida looked a little like a title contender.
Lamical Perine grinded out tough yards and scored twice, Florida’s defense was as good as it has been all season and the difference was another trick play called by Mullen.
A week after beating Mississippi State with a double pass, Franks handed off to Krull and slipped around the right side mostly unnoticed. Krull pulled up and lofted a 15-yarder back to Franks that set up Perine’s second TD.
The drive immediately followed LSU’s go-ahead score that featured two long runs from Nick Brossette and gave the Tigers a 19-14 lead with 8:48 to play.
Florida didn’t put LSU away until Brad Stewart Jr.’s 26-yard interception return for a touchdown with 1:45 left, and then another one on fourth down on the ensuing possession.