Florida scores on 98-yard TD after LSU forgets how to play defense (Video)
By John Buhler
Florida Gators quarterback Austin Appleby finds wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland for an unbelievable 98-yard touchdown pass versus the LSU Tigers.
The Florida Gators’ offense has not been a good one for most of 2016. It has been especially difficult for the Gators to move the chains without starting quarterback Luke Del Rio in there. With backup Austin Appleby under center, the Gators had only 60 yards of offense before this unbelievable play.
Appleby is able to hit freshman wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland for a magnificent 98-yard touchdown on the vaunted LSU Tigers defense. Cleveland was able to find pay dirt and the Eddy Pineiro PAT would make it 10-7 Gators.
Florida started this drive from deep in their own territory because of a botched LSU snap on a Colby Delahoussaye field goal attempt. The Gators had been buried deep in their own territory for most of the game against Ed Orgeron’s dominant LSU defense.
This was the type of play that Florida would need to go their way to be able to upset No. 16 LSU on the road. If No. 23 Florida wins this game, the Gators will win back-to-back SEC East division titles under head coach Jim McElwain.
Falling to LSU would put the ball in the Tennessee Volunteers’ court with two SEC games left on the slate: winnable games against the Missouri Tigers and the Vanderbilt Commodores.
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Florida isn’t making the 2017 College Football Playoff after the Gators’ brutal loss on the road a few weeks ago against the Arkansas Razorbacks. However, getting to Atlanta for the 2016 SEC Championship Game would be another huge accomplishment for the Florida football program. The offense still isn’t great under McElwain, but maybe Cleveland is a sign of good things to come in the Gator passing game?