Gators fall to No. 3 LSU in turnover-filled game, 20-10

The Florida Gators went to Tiger Stadium with hopes of upsetting No. 3 LSU. But they will head for home with another ugly and painful loss following a mistake-filled performance Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La.

Final score: LSU 20, Gators 10.

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway was intercepted five times, which LSU turned into 10 key points in what otherwise was a defensive slugfest. Meanwhile, the Gators committed numerous costly penalties, including one that took an 87-yard first-half touchdown that would have given them a 10-0 lead off the board.

Florida falls to 1-2. LSU is 3-0.

The Gators finished the game with 366 yards to only 316 for the Tigers. They also had an edge over LSU in first downs, 23-10. But ultimately, the interceptions were the difference as LSU excited the game with a plus-4 turnover margin.

Lagway was 33 of 49 for 287 yards, a touchdown and the five picks. His counterpart, Garrett Nussmeier of LSU, was only 15 of 27 for 220 yards, one touchdown and one interception. For the most part, both defenses controlled the game and neither team rushed for 100 yards.

Lagway’s most costly interception was a pick six that came with UF trailing just 13-10 in the second half. Tigers safety Dashawn Spears stepped in front of a Lagway pass and returned it 58 yards for a touchdown at the 8:08 mark of the third quarter. Spears had two interceptions in the game.

With the loss, Gators coach Billy Napier falls to 20-21 as Florida’s coach.

FOURTH QUARTER

—And things have gone from bad to worse for Gators quarterback DJ Lagway, who just threw interception No. 5 with 2:07 left.

—LSU can’t do anything after the pick and will punt.

—Gators quarterback DJ Lagway just threw his fourth interception of the game. LSU ball at the Tigers 20 with 6:26 left.

—Just when it looked like LSU was about to put the game away quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw an ugly interception to give the Gators life. UF ball at the Florida 43 with 10:55 left in the game.

—After another UF punt, LSU has the ball at the Tigers 19 with 13:02 left.

THIRD QUARTER

—The Gators reach mid-field on eight plays, but ultimately are forced to punt. LSU ball at the Tigers 9 with 2:22 left in the quarter.

—Gators quarterback DJ Lagway threw his third pick of the game and LSU’s Dashawn Spears returned it 58 yards for a touchdown. SCORE: LSU 20, Florida 10. 8:08

—UF forced a quick three-and-out and Vernell Brown III returned the punt 20 yards to the UF 45. Gators have the ball with 10:35 left in the quarter.

—The Gators opened the half by getting into LSU territory but a third-down sack of quarterback DJ Lagway ended the drive.

SECOND QUARTER

—LSU’s Damian Ramos has connected on a 45-yard field goal as time expired to close the half. Three play, 12-yard drive after the interception. SCORE: LSU 13, Florida 10. 0:00

—Gators quarterback DJ Lagway just threw his second interception of the night. Threw into double coverage over the middle and was picked by AJ Haulcy with 22 second left in the half.

—LSU reached the UF 46 but is forced to punt. Gators ball at the UF 14 with 1:17 left.

—The Gators have answered with a touchdown drive of their own. DJ Lagway has completed a 10-yard TD pass to Aidan Mizell in corner of the end zone. The 75-yard drive covered 10 plays. SCORE: Florida 10, LSU 10. 3:25

—The Tigers have a total yards lead of 131-82 after that scoring drive.

—LSU has taken its first lead of the game after a 10-play, 76-yard drive. The score came on a 23-yard pass from Garrett Nussmeier to Zavion Thomas over the middle. SCORE: LSU 10, Florida 3. 7:33

—The Tigers will start at the LSU 24 with 11:36 left in the half.

—UF picked up one first down but couldn’t get another and was forced to punt. The Gators have 82 yards in the game to only 45 for LSU.

—LSU’s Damian Ramos has LSU on the board with a 47-yard field goal. Six play, 14-yard drive. SCORE: Florida 3, LSU 3. 14:56

FIRST QUARTER

—An 87-yard TD pass from DJ Lagway to Jadan Baugh is wiped off the board because of a hold on Gators offensive guard Knijeah Harris. The Gators are forced to punt and LSU starts at the UF 44.

—The Gators force their third straight three-and-out as Kamran James bats down a third-down pass.

—Gators quarterback DJ Lagway is intercepted by Dashawn Spears on a badly underthrown ball. LSU takes over at the Tigers 38.

—LSU with two penalties already for 26 yards after a pass interference.

—Second straight three-and-out for the UF defense.

—Florida’s Trey Smack has made a 45-yard field goal to cap a seven-play, 34-yard scoring drive. SCORE: Florida 3, LSU 0. 11:34

—LSU linebacker Whit Weeks has been called for targeting and has been ejected from the game. He arguably is the Tigers’ top defensive player. There is 13:04 left in the first quarter.

—UF drive starts at the Florida 39.

—Gators force a three-and-out after giving up six yards on a first-down run.

—Gators win the toss; will receive the ball in the third quarter.