A swarming Gators defense was too much for the Tigers to handle in Gainesville.(AP)

"This was our best game," Spurrier said. "Say good things about the Gators."

That's what he did all week. Instead of hounding a team that wasn't living up to expectations, Spurrier said he wanted to be upbeat. He closed practice Thursday by mentioning country singer Lee Ann Womack's song, "I Hope You Dance," which won top single in the Country Music Awards.

"He said, 'Let's make sure we go dance on Saturday,"' said defensive coordinator Jon Hoke. "I think the kids bit into that."

Asked if they had ever listened to the song -- or country music, for that matter -- most players offered a blank stare.

"But Coach Spurrier seemed to like it," said Robert Gillespie, who ran for 120 yards.

He loved the results.

The defense, which had given up at least 500 yards in each of the last two games, held LSU to no more than five plays on all but four possessions, while Grossman and Gaffney put some life into the "Fun 'N' Gun" offense.

Grossman was 18-of-28 for 276 yards and made the right decisions. That meant getting the ball to Gaffney, who turned short passes into touchdown plays of 26 and 59 yards and also scored on a 9-yarder late in the first half.

The maligned defense gave up 341 yards, but 200 of those came after the game was out of reach. Sophomore linebacker Mike Nattiel, one of several young players given a chance to provide a spark, had two interceptions.

"I watched our defensive line in practice and asked them why they didn't play like they practiced," Spurrier said. "Maybe they decided the old coach knew what he was talking about. We had guys turn it loose. We were flying around and just playing the game."

Rohan Davey, coming off a sensational performance last week to beat Tennessee in overtime, was 4-of-12 for 65 yards and threw his first interception in 70 attempts on the Tigers' first possession of the second half.

Four plays later, Grossman found Gaffney on a crossing pattern and he raced down the sideline for a 59-yard touchdown and a 24-3 lead.

Davey was replaced by Josh Booty on the next series.

Booty was intercepted three times, the last one on the final play of the game. He was 15-of-24 for 184 yards and led the Tigers to their only touchdown, a 5-yard pass to Robert Royal on fourth-and-goal.

"One game does not make a team," LSU coach Nick Saban said of the emotional victory over the Vols. "We need to play with consistency as a team wherever we go and whomever we play."

Grossman was starting for Jesse Palmer, who injured his right ankle last week in a 47-35 loss at Mississippi State, but was healthy enough to play. Spurrier gave the start to Grossman, and said he'll keep him there for next week's game against Auburn.

"Sometimes you need a chance and see if you can get a spark," Spurrier said.

Grossman and the Gators got off to a sluggish start, with only 17 yards on their first two possessions, and were backed up at their 1 late in the first quarter when they came to life.

"I was a little shaky the first couple of series," Grossman said. "But coach Spurrier gave me a little pep talk and everything felt good."

Taking only five plays and just under two minutes to go the length of the field, Grossman was 5-of-5 and finished it off by finding Gaffney in the flat for a 26-yard touchdown, the first LSU has allowed in the opening quarter this year.

"I was definitely looking for him to get open, and he did," said Grossman, who played on the scout team with Gaffney last year.

Gaffney also scored on a 9-yard touchdown pass at the end of the first half, an unlikely score that put the Gators in control. The shotgun snap sailed over Grossman's head, but he picked it up, turned around and saw Gaffney out of the corner of his eye.

Grossman fired a bullet as he was sandwiched by two LSU lineman, and Gaffney pulled it in for a 17-3 halftime lead.

"Jabar Gaffney obviously is a big-time receiver," Spurrier said of the freshman who was kicked off the team for stealing last year, but allowed back on in June by paying his own tuition.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2000, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved