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Talking points on Florida Gators vs. LSU Tigers

 
Published Oct. 12, 2014

Talking points

1. Local products: Running back Matt Jones (Armwood) did not start on Saturday, as sophomore tailback Kelvin Taylor was given the starting role. Jones didn't see the field until the second quarter, with his first run gaining 9 yards. He went for 11 yards on four caries in the second quarter, but returned in the second half in street clothes with his left ankle heavily taped. All-American cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (Wharton) left in the sixth minute of the second quarter for the locker room with a head injury. He did not play in any of the second half, but was on the sideline in street clothes.

2. Freshmen shine: LSU running back Leonard Fournette, the No. 1 overall running back recruit from the 2014 class, had himself a day against the Gator defense. The New Orleans native ran for 140 yards and two touchdowns, and averaged close to 5 yards per carry. Early Florida enrollee Jalen Tabor, who earned his first start last week against Tennessee, had a nice pass breakup in the fourth quarter, as well as a sack on Tiger quarterback Anthony Jennings for a loss of 7 yards early in the third.

3. Debose breaks loose: Sixth year senior Andre Debose put on a clinic on special teams Saturday. He returned an LSU punt 64 yards for a touchdown midway through the first quarter to put the Gators up 7-0 over the Tigers. With 53 yards to the LSU nine yard line. That set up Jeff Driskel's 11-yard touchdown toss to Demarcus Robinson to put Florida ahead 24-20 halfway through the fourth quarter.

Sights and sounds

Saturday night marked the first time both Florida and LSU entered their annual matchup unranked since 1989. The Gator ticket office announced a student ticket sellout at the start of the game Saturday night. The sellout marks the fourth straight home game sellout. … The 2013-14 Florida men's basketball team was honored on the field during the first half — that squad had a final record of 34-2 as well as a Final Four berth in North Texas in April.

All atwitter

"LSU plays like an SEC East team." @CoreyLong

"This is a HUGE game for #LSU vs Florida. Without a win tonight, bowl-eligiblilty could be in serious jeopardy. #NotJoking" @PeterBurnsESPN

"That play was like waving a white flag. Fans are feeling quite a letdown." @JeffBarlisESPN

"You can't ask for a better game or atmosphere for recruiting. Seriously, it's awesome in here tonight. #Gators" @Goldkamp247

"LSU hits the field goal, leads 30-27. Among the most frustrating Florida losses of alllllllllllll time about to go final." @AlligatorArmy:

Morgan Moriarty, Times correspondent