travisduncan
Gator Fan
By Travis Duncan
Gator Envy writer
Just how committed were the Gators to the run (with the lead)?
Florida ran 25-straight rushing plays to end the game, starting with Mike Gillislee’s third-quarter score with 5:15 remaining in the third quarter until the end of the game and the Gators had defeated at Top 5 team for the first time in the Will Muschamp era.
Saturday's 14-6 win over the LSU Tigers, was sparked by a defensive performance which may have been unmatched all season and the running of Gillislee who finished with two touchdowns 146 yards and 34 carries.
LSU was limited to 200 total yards-56 yards of which came on pass play which ultimately would be a fumble by Tiger receiver Odell Beckham and recovered by Matt Elam in the third quarter. The Tiger passing offense gained yards against the aggressive Gator attack via screen plays. LSU entered the game as a the 19th best running team in the country averaging 229 yards on the ground. Saturday at The Swap, the boys from Baton Rouge totaled 42 yards on 25 carries.
LSU's No. 4 ranking may have been bloated by its appearance in the National Title game, but regardless most would agree that if you beat an LSU or Alabama, that is a resume win, including to those who vote in the BCS. And even if just five games of a 12 game season has been played, Florida will now be discussed among the teams which could be there for a National Title appearance.
Florida is now 3-0 when trailing at the half. In those three games (Texas A&M, Tennessee, LSU), the Gators have outscored the opponent 51-6 in the second half.
"We made some adjustments in the second half and we felt like the running game was there, we just had to be patient with it," said Muschamp.
"Mike Gillislie ran hard, and that is a talented bunch he just ran against and they are very, very good. Our defense gave up yards on some screens so I am disappointed with that, but we executed well."