Florida Football: 3 takeaways from shocking loss to LSU in Week 15

Dec 12, 2020; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterbacks Kyle Trask (11) runs the ball for a touchdown in the first half during a game against the LSU Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Dec. 12, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Brad McClenny-USA TODAY NETWORK
Dec 12, 2020; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterbacks Kyle Trask (11) runs the ball for a touchdown in the first half during a game against the LSU Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Dec. 12, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Brad McClenny-USA TODAY NETWORK
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Florida football was on the ropes in the second half on Saturday before LSU connected on a knockout punch with under 30 seconds left.

LSU had Florida on the ropes late Saturday night with a College Football Playoff berth on the line and the Tigers hit a late field goal with under 30 seconds left to knock out the Gators.

In what looked like a scene from an apocalypse movie, Florida and LSU battled in the fog in one of the most shocking performances of the season as the 3-5 Tigers took the No. 6 Gators down to the wire in Gainesville. Cade York’s long field goal with 23 seconds left was the difference on the scoreboard in one of the most intriguing games of 2020.

Before the season, we may have looked at this as a playoff elimination game, but it wasn’t that for the Tigers who recently announced a one-year, self-imposed bowl ban. They also knocked Florida out of the College Football Playoff race.

What did we learn from this shocking upset?

3. Kadarius Toney is extremely valuable to LSU

Florida found itself in a tough spot on Saturday evening in Gainesville. The Gators were down by three points with under five minutes left and then they did what they had done all game when they needed a spark: they gave the ball to Kadarius Toney. He led them to a field goal and then nearly helped them hit another tying field goal with two seconds left with a big catch.

The senior led all receivers with 182 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions.

Not only was he effective in the passing game when Kyle Trask needed him, but he put up some decent chunk gains on the ground. In fact, he rushed for 56 yards on three carries.

Toney helped Florida move the ball on Saturday night and he’s been one of the most valuable players for the Gators this season.