Welcome everyone to the latest edition of #4Downs where I break down what went right and what went wrong for the LSU Tigers! This week, we look at the Tigers 33-10 win at home against Arkansas.
1st Down: Return of Etling/Go DJ
After looking incredibly average against Alabama last weekend, Danny Etling was back to his old self and put together a solid performance in LSU’s win over the Razorbacks. Were there some less than ideal passes? Of course, but the overall numbers speak for him being the quarterback that gives this team the best chance to win if he’s not constantly under pressure like he was last week in Tuscaloosa.
The senior went 11-of-16 for 217 yards and two scores with a pair of passes for a combined 113 yards to DJ Chark. The only real negative for many fans had to be the fact that Myles Brennan didn’t see any playing time. However, Ed Orgeron mentioned earlier in the week that he would only play the freshman if Etling fell below the mark. It’s nice to know that the Tigers head coach is a man of his word.
2nd Down: Halftime Coffee
The first half was a lot like the opening rounds of a boxing match. You had an early feeling out process and some big haymakers thrown in the closing moments of each round. The second half saw LSU’s offense get some coffee and deliver some big shots to knockout Arkansas.
When you look further into the box score, you can see a big difference in LSU’s efficiency. In six second-half drives, the Tigers scored in four of those and punted once (the other drive iced the ballgame after a Greedy Williams INT. The Tigers offense showed their teeth in the second half and proved that they can be a lot more than just a run game.
3rd Down: Held Culpable
While LSU’s offense looked like they chugged down some coffee in the second half, Connor Culp seemed to get into his own head after missing a 32-yard field goal early in the first quarter. He wound up missing two of his three PATs before being pulled for Jack Gonsoulin in the fourth quarter.
After being consistent for the last few weeks, it looked like a classic case of the yips for the true freshman. Hopefully this doesn’t lead to another statement from Orgeron about finding a potential kicker.
4th Down: Defense Shuts Down Razorbacks
The defensive effort on Saturday was a thing of beauty. It was obvious early on that the Tigers defense was angry after allowing 24 points last weekend and took out their aggressions on Austin Allen and crew in a dominant win.
You could see it when Donte Jackson bulldozed Allen in the backfield for an eight-yard loss and you saw it on the second to last play of the ballgame when Greedy Williams picked off Lafayette native Cole Kelley, it was another complete performance by this defense.
-Clint Domingue