Conference Champions Crowned, Bowl Games Set

The Curse Is Lifted, Tigers Advance To National Title Game
LSU Overcomes 21-7 Deficit, Has Big Second Half To Defeat Sneaky Gators
#1 LSU - 42
#5 Florida - 31
News story:
Atlanta, GA -- In what can only be described as a 'fight to the finish' the top ranked LSU Tigers overcame 3 seasons of disappointment to outlast the #5 Florida Gators and win the 2012 SEC Championship. The Tigers got off to a rough start from the opening kickoff. The Gators used an 80 yard kickoff return to set up its first score, and eventually built a 21-7 lead early in the 2nd quarter behind the surprisng "French Frye Package," which also gave the Tigers fits in last year's SEC title game. Gator RB Zach Frye lined up behind center about 85% of the game, and kept the LSU defense on its heels with his quick feet, accurate arm, and witty trash talking.

"We came in expecting to see Phillips at QB most of the game, but Coach Stu really caught us off guard," said Coach UTVOL54. "Frye is a great player, and we had to make an adjustment, or this game would not have turned out the way it did."

The Gators built the 21-7 lead before LSU scored a TD and 2 point conversion to cut the lead to 21-15. Florida was driving into field goal range in the final minute of the 1st half, but LSU's defense held the Gators on a 4th and 3. The Tigers had 3 timeouts and just over 40 seconds to try to get another score, but QB Jordan Jefferson threw a bad pass into coverage, and the Gators picked it off, giving them the ball right back. Florida kicked a FG as time expired in the 1st half to take a 24-15 lead into the locker room.

LSU would get the ball first to start the 2nd half and marched down the Georgia Dome field to cut the lead to 24-21. On its next play, Florida ran a WR screen pass and with some great blocking and weaving, raced 70 yards down field for the score. Midway through the 3rd Qtr, Florida held a 31-21 lead, and hope looked gloom for the Tigers. LSU rallied to cut the lead to 31-28, and then the game got frantic. Florida's Zach Frye fumbled on a 4th down try, LSU threw an interception, and Florida threw its own INT...all in the span of a few minutes.

LSU finally took advantage of the turnovers and took its first lead of the game, 35-31 on a Jordan Jefferson QB sneak with 3:30 left in the game. Florida, trying to mount a late game comeback, was intercepted early in its next drive, and LSU was able to chew away valuable minutes off the clock before scoring the game's final TD with 1 minute remaining. LSU held on to win the game 42-31, finally getting the pesky monkey off its back.

"We're going to enjoy this win tonight," said UTVOL54. "But as soon as we get back to Baton Rouge, our focus turns to Clemson. We are confident, talented, and efficient most of the time, and it's going to take a A+ effort to beat them twice in 1 season. We know we're not 37 points better than them, like we beat them the 1st time at their place, but we think we can be at least 1 point better this go-round."


Five Alive? Clemson Drills UVA To Earn 5th Straight BCS Title Game Birth
Rematch Against #1 LSU Will Be Final Game of RUTS I
#2 Clemson - 105
Virginia - 10

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2012 Hesiman Trophy Winner - Blake Miller (Clemson, RB)
(Miller becomes the 3rd Clemson RB to win the Heisman Trophy in RUTS)
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Bowl Games

BCS National Championship
#1 LSU (13-0) vs. #2 Clemson (12-1)


Sugar Bowl
#3 Florida State (10-2) vs. #7 Michigan (10-2)


Capital One Bowl
#17 Florida (9-4) vs. #13 Wisconsin (9-3)