Entering the second half of the season, there’s only one unbeaten team in the SEC. Thanks to a 28-point second quarter and an impeccably timed fake field goal Saturday, that team resides in Baton Rouge.

No. 6 LSU survived some heart-stopping moments to knock off No. 8 Florida, 35-28, in Death Valley, scoring the game-winning touchdown when kicker Trent Domingue ran in from 16 yards out in the fourth quarter.

5 TAKEAWAYS

  • Mad Hatter lives: Les Miles has drawn some criticism in recent years for being too conservative, but the LSU coach dusted off his bag of tricks against Florida. In the first half, a 52-yard pass from Brandon Harris to Malachi Dupre on a flea flicker got the Tigers offense rolling and set up a Leonard Fournette touchdown. But the play of the game came early in the fourth quarter when Miles eschewed the go-ahead field goal and called for a fake. It almost cost him, but Domingue gathered in the lateral after a bobble or two and scampered into the end zone to break a 28-28 tie.
  • The running game passed its toughest test so far: Florida came into the game holding opposing teams to less than 100 rushing yards per game, but LSU moved the ball with relative ease on the ground, finishing with 221 yards on 41 carries.
  • The passing game continues to improve: Brandon Harris was sharp, especially in the first half. Florida limited his effectiveness in the final two quarters, but the sophomore finished with his second consecutive game with more than 200 yards through the air.
  • The Tigers have some issues to work out in pass coverage: Forced into a quarterback change by Will Grier’s suspension for the use of a banned substance, the Gators were surprisingly efficient in the passing game for most of the contest — largely because of blown coverages by LSU. The Tigers got the stops they needed, forcing Treon Harris to go 2 of 10 on Florida’s final two drives. Dwayne Thomas also came through with a touchdown-saving pass breakup to preserve the Tigers’ lead, but LSU left too many receivers running uncovered.
  • Special teams coverage continues to be the team’s biggest weakness: Until Saturday, the last time LSU had allowed a touchdown on a kickoff return and punt return in the same season was season was 1999. The Tigers have now allowed one of each in the last two weeks. LSU ranks among the worst teams in the country in kick and punt coverage, and while the kickoff team was improved with Cameron Gamble handling kicks, special teams remains a glaring weakness for the Tigers.

REPORT CARD

Offense: A- — LSU couldn’t get much going in the passing game in the second half, but there’s little else to complain about with Saturday’s performance. The Tigers put up 35 points against one of the conference’s best defenses and did so with more than 200 yards through the air and on the ground.

Defense: B- — The pass rush played a big role, especially as the game wore on, and the run defense was stellar. But LSU yielded big chunks of yards on busted coverages, allowing Treon Harris to throw more more than 270 yards.

Special Teams: D — LSU essentially gave up two touchdowns on special teams — one on Antonio Callaway’s 72-yard punt return and one in the first quarter, and one when Tre’Davious White failed to secure a bouncing punt and gave the Gators the ball at the Tigers 13-yard line.

Coaching: B+ — Miles’ gambles were well-timed and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron kept the Florida defense guessing for much of the game, but the failure to fix the Tigers’ special teams woes hurts the staff’s grade.

Overall: B+ — When LSU is at its best — like it was in the second quarter — the Tigers look like a national championship contender. They’ve yet to play at that level for a full four quarters, but they continue to do enough to be the best team on the field each week so far.

GAME PLAN

Operating without starting fullback John David Moore due to injury, LSU still found ways to move the ball on the ground. Credit Cameron for adroitly using the passing game to loosen up the Florida defense and then punishing the Gators on the ground.

Kevin Steele and the defensive staff also deserve credit for limiting the Florida rushing attack and forcing the new starter at quarterback to be the Gators’ sole source of offense.

GAME BALLS

  • RB Leonard Fournette: Fournette’s march toward the Heisman Trophy continues. He churned out another 180 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries Saturday, giving him eight straight games with at least 100 yards.
  • Lewis Neal: The junior defensive end has arguably been the Tigers’ best defensive player in recent weeks, and he had his best game of the season Saturday. He finished with 10 tackles, three sacks and three hurries against the Gators, bringing his sack total on the season to seven.
  • QB Brandon Harris: Harris finished 13 of 19 with two touchdowns and has yet to throw an interception this season. LSU needed the sophomore to make some plays in this one, and Harris obliged.
  • WR Malachi Dupre: Symbolic of the Tigers’ on-then-off success through the air, Dupre had four catches for 115 yards and two scores in the first half, but nothing in second. Nonetheless, the sophomore is rounding into form and becoming the big-play threat he’s been expected to be.
  • Offensive line: LSU’s offensive front proved equal to the challenge presented by a talented and productive Florida defense. The Tigers ran for more than 5 yards per carry and Brandon Harris was not sacked and was pressured just once.

INJURY UPDATE

  • S Jalen Mills (leg) saw his first action of the season after sustaining a fractured fibula in August.
  • TE Dillon Gordon (Achilles) played, but re-injured his Achilles and did not return.
  • FB John David Moore (leg) did not dress out.