Tigers strain the Swamp

Heated rivalry has titled toward LSU after 4 straight wins

GAINESVILLE — Florida’s 45-35 loss to LSU was the Gators’ fourth straight in a heated rivalry with the Tigers.

A week after LSU folded 40-13 at home to Tennessee, first-year coach Brian Kelly’s team rose to the occasion before a reported crowd of 90,585 on “Tom Petty Night” in the Swamp.

Meanwhile, Billy Napier’s squad could not keep up with Kelly’s offense or stop it.

Here are three things we learned:

1. Third-down defense isn’t getting

better. It’s actually getting worse — and now ranks worst in the nation.

LSU and quarterback Jayden Daniels converted at will to continue the Gators’ defensive struggles at critical moments.

The Tigers opened 8 of 9 on third down, along with a key fourthdown conversion. LSU scored on its first five possessions and eventually built an insurmountable 42-21 lead on 6 touchdowns by Daniels — 3 running, 3 passing.

LSU ended 8 of 12 on third down and 2 of 2 on fourth down. The Gators’ SEC-worst third-down defense is now allowing opponents to convert at a rate of 52.6%.

“You’ve got to give a little bit of credit to LSU,” Napier said. “Individual matchups, they won their fair share tonight.”

Florida finally managed a pivotal stop, giving its offense the chance to cut the deficit to 42-35. Yet, defensive success was shortlived.

As Florida pushed to continue a fourth-quarter rally, officials flagged defensive tackle Gervon Dexter for roughing the passer to negate Jason Marshall’s interception with 5:50 remaining. LSU later completed a 7-yard pass on 3rd-and-8 followed by a 2-yard run on 4th-and-1 to keep alive the game-sealing, field-goal drive.

“When we look at it we’re going to see a combination of things,” Napier said. “We’re going to see a lot of things that we can do better schematically, we’re going to see things that we can do fundamentally better and there’s going to be opportunities for guys to make plays.

“We’re going to be sick when we watch this tape.”

Those outside the program will want answers and accountability. Defensive coordinator Patrick Toney, who is in his first Power 5 job, is just 32.

Toney, though, is not permitted to speak to reporters during the season. After the LSU loss, Florida also did not make a defensive player available to answer questions.

Richardson insists the locker room dynamic remains copacetic even as one side of the football clearly is not pulling its weight.

“It’s our job to put up points as an offense,” Richardson said. “We didn’t put up more points than they did, and that’s on us. If they put 100, we ought to be able to put up 101.”

Competent third-down defense would simplify the winning formula.

2. The run game is something to build on. The Louisiana connection of Montrell Johnson Jr. and Trevor Etienne continues to be a bright spot while Richardson returned to his dual-threat ways.

Johnson ripped off a 39-yard touchdown run to give Florida a 14-7 lead. The effort was the fifth run of more than 30 yards in seven games by the New Orleans native who transferred from Lafayette to rejoin Napier. In 2021, Florida running backs totaled just four 30-yard runs in 13 games.

Etienne returned the opening kickoff 47 yards to position the Gators for a nice opening drive. Richardson wasted no time finding Justin Shorter for a 51-yard touchdown pass on the game’s second play. Etienne later scored a touchdown, though he was relatively quiet with 28 yards on 8 carries.

Richardson statistically had his best day under Napier running the football. He finished with a seasonhigh 109 yards on 9 carries, highlighted by an 81-yard touchdown.

The Gators ended with 210 rushing yards. This came without right guard O’Cyrus Torrence, their best offensive lineman who sat out with a lower-body injury.

“I don’t know what the numbers look like, but occasionally we had some leakage here or there,” Napier said. “But overall that group played well. We’ll be pleased with that when we go back and look at the tape.”

3. It was a big recruiting night. The Gators welcomed a slew of recruits for official and unofficial visits during their last chance to guarantee a big-game atmosphere the Swamp in 2022. A Nov. 12 date with

South Carolina is the season’s last home game.

The highlight Saturday was official visits from two of Alabama’s top high school prospects — James Smith, the nation’s second-rated defensive tackle, and fellow Montgomery Carver teammate Qua Russaw, the nation’s No. 5 edge rusher.

Each saw ample opportunity to contribute early to a defense in need of reinforcements.

Alabama commit Richard Young of Lehigh Acres, the nation’s No. 3 running back, was among a long list of unofficial visitors. Joining Young was Kississmee Osceola defensive lineman and UCF commit John Walker, one of the state’s top 25 prospects. IMG Academy linebacker Jordan Hall, a 4-star recruit committed to Michigan State, was another top prospect on hand.

Many top players already committed to Florida made unofficial visits. Orlando area receiver Aidan Mizell and safety Jordan Castell were in the Swamp, where the atmosphere was electric despite the Gators’ up-and-down play.

“There’s no question that that was a great display,” Napier said. “The passion here, the history and tradition here, the desire to get back to where we all know Florida is capable of being. It’s been 14 years since Florida has won the SEC and a national championship.

“We’ve got work to do. These young men, they can contribute to that cause.”

JOHN RAOUX/AP LSU wide receiver Jaray Jenkins makes a reception in front of Florida cornerback Jaydon Hill for a 54-yard touchdown during a 45-35 win Saturday night in the Swamp.