GAINESVILLE, Fla. — DJ Lagway made a significant impact in his return from a strained hamstring, throwing for a touchdown and facilitating another with a lengthy pass, leading Florida to a 27-16 upset against No. 21 LSU on Saturday. This victory marked the Gators’ first series win over the Tigers since 2018.

Jadan Baugh’s impressive 55-yard touchdown run with just under four minutes remaining in the game effectively secured the win for Florida (5-5, 3-4 Southeastern Conference), putting them one step closer to bowl eligibility.

The Gators faced a rough patch prior to this game, having lost eight consecutive matches against ranked teams and holding a poor 1-10 record in rivalry contests this season under coach Billy Napier.

Former Florida coach Steve Spurrier had put out a call for fans to rush the field named in his honor should the Gators emerge victorious, but the fans remained in their seats post-game.

The Florida defense had a standout performance, tallying seven sacks against LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, surpassing the total number of sacks allowed by the Tigers in their first nine games combined.

Lagway’s performance on the offensive end was key for Florida. After missing parts of the last two games due to injury, he connected with Elijhah Badger for a 23-yard touchdown early in the first half. Though Lagway didn’t scramble for yards, he adeptly navigated the pocket to extend plays. He completed 13 of 26 passes for a total of 226 yards, while Badger had a stellar performance with six receptions for 131 yards.

A turning point in the game occurred late in the third quarter when T.J. Searcy sacked Nussmeier. The ensuing fumble was recovered by Caleb Banks, showcasing the impact of Florida’s defensive line. Although the Gators faced difficulties in their subsequent drive, they managed to pin LSU deep in its territory through a well-placed punt from Jeremy Crawshaw.

The Gators forced another punt and took over in advantageous field position. This time, Lagway connected with Badger for a substantial 36-yard gain, leading to Ja’Kobi Jackson’s one-yard rushing touchdown.

While LSU dominated the first half in terms of time of possession and number of plays run, Nussmeier faced escalating pressure during the second half. He recorded 27 completions on 47 attempts for 260 yards, throwing one touchdown alongside a fumble.

In terms of ramifications, LSU’s coach Brian Kelly will see his streak of seasons with ten or more wins come to an end. He maintains a record of ten-win seasons through his last four years at Notre Dame and two more at LSU. However, consecutive losses to Texas A&M, Alabama, and Florida will deprive the team of reaching ten wins, impacting Kelly’s standing among an increasingly frustrated fanbase.

On the other hand, Florida is eyeing the possibility of bowl eligibility that would come with a victory in one of their last two scheduled games against Ole Miss and Florida State. The Gators are striving to avoid what would be a discouraging fourth straight season with a losing record.

Looking ahead, LSU will host Vanderbilt in their next match-up next Saturday, while Florida will take on Ole Miss in their home finale on the same day.