Whether it was the cold conditions or an Alabama hangover, LSU struggled early but found a way to defeat Arkansas 13-10 on Saturday in Fayetteville. With the win, the Tigers remain in the driver’s seat for the Southeastern Conference West Division title.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
LSU struggled on the first drive of the game.
The Tigers’ offensive line struggled with protection as it gave up two sacks and the drive was capped with Jayden Daniels being picked off by Latavious Brini.
After going three-and-out on their first possession, Arkansas took an early lead on its second possession as the Razorbacks drove down to the LSU 10-yard line but had to settle for a 28-yard field goal by Cam Little.
LSU’s next possession saw the Tigers gift wrap a present for Arkansas.
Jordan Domineck stripped Daniels of the ball on a designed run and Brini recovered the football. Arkansas had the ball at the LSU 10-yard line.
The Tigers’ defense stood tall as the Razorbacks opted to go for it on fourth and goal at the three-yard line. LSU’s Mekhi Wingo tackled Malik Hornsby for no gain.
LSU tied the game in the second quarter as Damian Ramos made a 38-yard field goal and then took its first lead by adding a 29-yard kick by Ramos with less than two minutes to go before halftime.
LSU finally found the end zone late in the third quarter.
After the defense forced a turnover on downs near midfield, the Tigers needed only five plays to score a touchdown as Josh Williams ran up the middle for a one-yard score.
Arkansas scored its first touchdown early in the fourth quarter as Cade Fortin found Matt Landers open for a 40-yard touchdown. The extra point was good and with 13:17 left in the game, LSU held a 13-10 lead.
Later in the fourth, LSU opted to go for it on fourth and one at the Arkansas 43-yard line. The Tigers were stuffed which gave the Razorbacks a short field.
Arkansas couldn’t sustain the drive and was forced to punt the ball away with four minutes remaining.
LSU ate up some clock on their next drive but was forced to punt the ball away but the Tigers’ defense came up big again.
With Arkansas at the 38-yard line, LSU’s Perkins forced Fortin to fumble and Wingo was there to recover it. The Tigers took the knee twice to escape Fayetteville with the win.
BIG NUMBER: 7
Arkansas’ pass rush was a huge problem all game for LSU as the Razorbacks sacked Jayden Daniels seven times in the contest, including five times in the first half.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME: JOSH WILLIAMS & HAROLD PERKINS JR.
Williams was the lone bright spot offensively on an otherwise dreadful day. Williams rushed for a game-high 122 yards on 19 carries and scored one touchdown. Perkins meanwhile was a force on defense with eight tackles, a game-high three sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pass breakup.
UP NEXT: LSU (8-2) will host UAB in its final non-conference game of the regular season on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. and you can listen to it live on THE GAME 103.7 Lafayette and 104.1 Lake Charles.