Garrett Nussmeier threw a touchdown pass, Dashawn Spears returned one of LSU’s five interceptions for a touchdown and the No. 3 Tigers defeated Florida 20-10 on Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La.
Nussmeier completed 15 of 27 passes for 220 yards with an interception, and LSU (3-0, 1-0 SEC) managed just 316 total yards and 10 first downs, but that was good enough because of the defense.
DJ Lagway threw all five of the interceptions, completing 33 of 49 for 287 yards and a touchdown for the Gators (1-2, 0-1). Florida reached the Tigers’ territory on seven possessions, but four of them ended with interceptions.
Florida crossed midfield on its first two possessions of the third quarter but didn’t score. The first ended with a punt and the second ended when Spears intercepted Lagway and ran back 58 yards for a touchdown and a 20-10 lead.
The Tigers had an opportunity to extend the lead early in the fourth quarter when Nussmeier threw a 65-yard completion to the Gators 16. But LSU lost 17 yards on a fumble and on third-and-33, Nussmeier was intercepted by Dijon Johnson.
On the ensuing possession, Lagway drove Florida to the Tigers’ 36, but he was intercepted by Tamarcus Cooley in the end zone.
Trey Smack’s 45-yard field goal on their first possession of the game gave the Gators a 3-0 lead that held up through the end of the first quarter. On the first play of the second quarter, Damian Ramos kicked a 47-yard field goal that tied the score.
Nussmeier threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Zavion Thomas to give the Tigers a 10-3 lead midway through the period.
Florida responded with a touchdown on its ensuing drive. Lagway converted all three third downs with pass completions, including a final 10-yard score to Aidan Mizell to tie the score at 10.
In the final minute of the second quarter A.J. Haulcy intercepted Lagway, giving LSU the ball at the Florida 40. Ramos kicked a 45-yard field goal to give the Tigers a 13-10 halftime lead.
Caden Durham led the Tigers with 93 rushing yards on 15 carries, including a 51-yard run in the final two minutes which officially iced the game.
