Florida Gators vs LSU Tigers: Dropped Balls, Missed Chances Cost Gators

Could the Gators have won this game? Probably. Were they the better team tonight? Probably not.

Dropped. The. Ball. It’s the only way to describe this game, this offense and this opportunity for Florida in the SEC race. The Gators lose a weird game to LSU on a late field goal that makes their position in the SEC East more desperate. But what the Gators are really desperate for is consistency in their playmakers.

Oct 11, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) runs with the ball to score a touchdown against the LSU Tigers during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Just when quarterback Jeff Driskel, who was limited in his downfield throwing success throughout the game, looked hopeless, he hits Demarcus Robinson on a huge 73-yard play to put the Gators at LSU’s 2 yard line. And just when you thought the Gators offense had things turned around, with Driskel creating space with his legs and finding the open receiver in the end zone when…well, you know.

And just when you thought Driskel was starting to relocate his mojo, he throws a crucial and completely unnecessary interception with 45 seconds left, setting up a return that put LSU in field goal range.

Perhaps the best fact to describe this game is that the LSU’s kicker made the clutch 50-yard field goal that he had to make, since his missed extra point earlier in the game was the only reason the Tigers weren’t already in the lead.

It was all part of a back-and-forth fourth quarter that LSU coach Les Miles said had to boost TV ratings. The outcome will certainly boost liquor sales in Gainesville tonight as Gators will likely need to drown this one.

The Gators are still alive in the SEC East race. With the loss, Gators are behind three one-loss teams in the East, one of which they have beaten – Kentucky. They still have to play the other two: Missouri next week at home and then after a bye week, Georgia.

Oct 11, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Andre Debose (4) runs back a 62-yard punt return for a touchdown during the first quarter against the LSU Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

There were some bright points in the game for the Gators. No player shined brighter than kick returner Andre Debose, who returned a punt for a touchdown and set up another touchdown with a return late in the game to the Tiger 10 yard line.

The defense made some key plays too and looked like they were able to regain their strength after LSU’s power running game was starting to make mincemeat out of them in second and third quarter. The defense made key stops on a handful of drives late in the game to keep them in contention. But they also gave up a big play on 3rd-and-25 that set up a key late LSU touchdown. Before that, the secondary looked like it had locked down the weak LSU passing game, only to blow the coverage once again.

The Gators had countless opportunities. But they also made bad decisions, gave up big plays and there was even a weird clock-stoppage thingy at the end that can probably be protested. Could the Gators have won this game? Probably. Were they the better team tonight? Probably not.