A week after losing by nearly 30 points to Georgia on the road, the LSU Tigers used the passing of JaMarcus Russell and a late defensive stand to defeat the Florida Gators 34-30 at Florida Field.

LSU, who faced a third SEC loss if they had fallen to the Gators, settled on JaMarcus Russell after Marcus Randall was ineffective for the Tigers. After a fumble and interception on his first two possessions, Russell, who helped the Tigers overcome a 10 point first quarter deficit in the victory, replaced Randall as LSU's quarterback for the rest of the game.

After Florida converted their first two possessions (and LSU miscues) into 10 points, the Gators had difficulty moving the ball on their next 2 possessions, allowing the Tigers to score two TD's with Russell at the helm. A Chris Leak TD pass late in the 2nd quarter put the Gators in the lead 17-14 at halftime.

Florida dominated the third quarter, moving the ball steadily on the LSU defense in the third quarter but having problems in the red zone. Florida was forced to attempt field goals on three consecutive possessions, with two field goals converted by the Gators before Chris Leak added an 18-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter to put Florida up 30-14. However, Arkansas' near comeback last week would foreshadow this week's game as LSU began to move the ball effectively against the Gator defense.

The fourth quarter was dominated by the arm of LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell and the legs of LSU running back Justin Vincent, who carved through the Florida defense for 174 yards on 26 carries in the game. LSU countered with 17 unanswered points on a 42-yard field goal and two TD's passes from Russell to Dwayne Bowe, the second TD giving the Tigers the lead for the first time at 31-30. LSU forced the Gators into a three and out in the middle of the fourth, adding a field goal with 3:31 to play to go up 34-30.

With one last chance to take the lead, Chris Leak lead the Gators on a 12 play, 71-yard drive, converting 2 fourth down chances to keep the drive alive. The drive would finally come up short with less than a minute to play, as Leak's fourth down pass attempt from the 8 yard line to wideout Dallas Baker bounced off the wide receiver's hands in the corner of the end zone.

LSU, who have a bye week next week, will next take the field on October 23rd when they host the Troy Trojans in Baton Rouge. Florida, who now have 2 SEC losses in our simulation season, also have a bye week next week before traveling to Starkville October 23rd to take on Mississippi State.