Gators Do Homework

Lsu Is 1st Test

Hall, after four relatively easy wins, including Saturday`s 17-0 shutout of Mississippi State, looked ahead six days to next Saturday`s nationally televised Southeastern Conference showdown with the Tigers at Florida Field.

Archer, after a stunning 36-33 loss at Ohio State, couldn`t get his mind off what happened 24 hours earlier.

``We have to ask ourselves, seriously, how good we are,`` Archer said. ``The two teams we`ve beaten, Texas A&M and Tennessee, have not won a football game. We went to Ohio State and they were 1-1 and we couldn`t get the job done.``

The Tigers (2-1, 1-0 in the SEC) led Ohio State 33-20 with less than five minutes left. But two touchdown drives sandwiched around an intentional safety killed the Tigers and ruled out a battle of unbeatens Saturday for CBS television.

Both teams should be rated between 10th and 15th this week in the Associated Press Top 20 and the game will be the first big test for the Gators (4-0, 2-0) this season after victories against Montana State, Mississippi, Indiana State and MSU. A victory would make the Gators legitimate contenders for the Sugar Bowl.

``Without a doubt, it`s the toughest test we`ve had so far this year,`` Hall said. ``LSU is probably one of the most talented football teams in the country, regardless of the outcome of (Saturday`s) game.``

For Florida to have a chance, the Gator offense will have to play much better than it did against Mississippi State, Hall said. Florida failed to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities provided by the defense in both halves.

Yet as inconsistent and sluggish as the offense played against MSU, the defense was just as fired up in recording its third shutout of the season. Hall said the key to the defense`s play has been the defensive line, particularly tackles Rhondy Weston and Trace Armstrong, and middle guard Jeff Roth.

``Our front three are playing very well for us,`` Hall said. ``That`s the strength of our defense, there`s no doubt about that. I said our defense was going to have to carry our offense until our receivers and quarterbacks matured.``

LSU quarterback Tom Hodson is one of the nation`s best quarterbacks and he will present the Florida defense with its biggest challenge of the season, Hall said. Hodson passed for 299 yards against Ohio State.

Hall said he would send a letter today to the SEC supervisor of officials to ask him to review the film of Saturday`s Florida-Mississippi State game. In the game, UF was penalized 14 times for 147 yards.

``I didn`t say I was unhappy with the officiating,`` Hall said. ``I just want to contact the commissioner of officials and discuss all the penalties called.``

-- Freshman tight end Harvey Thomas from Pompano Beach was named special teams player of the week against Mississippi State. Thomas was credited with five ``impact`` plays on special teams, Hall said, plays in which he either made a big play or caused a big play. Emmitt Smith, who gained 164 yards on 13 carries and scored two touchdowns, was named offensive player of the game. Smith also broke Florida`s longest run from scrimmage, 96 yards. Safety Bill Lang was the defensive player of the game.

-- Linebacker Todd Gatlin aggravated a neck injury against MSU that had kept him out of the first three Gator games. He is doubtful for LSU. Also doubtful for the Tigers will be linebacker Godfrey Myles (hamstring), left guard Kevin Sills (neck) and defensive back John Spierto (ankle).