For a while it seemed like LSU (7-3, 4-2 SEC) didn’t have that first cup of coffee for the 11 am kickoff against Arkansas (4-6, 1-5 SEC). However, once the second half started the Tigers looked full of energy and pulled away to a 33-10 victory.
One of the biggest complaints from LSU fans last week was quarterback Danny Etling’s inconsistency in the passing game. The senior responded to those questions with a 45-yard pass late in the first quarter to DJ Chark to take a 7-0 lead.
The Razorbacks responded with a lengthy 10-play drive at the tail end of the second quarter capped off by a one-yard run from Devwah Whaley to tie it up as both teams headed into the locker room.
The Tigers offense woke up as the second half started with a quick march down the field that ended with Derrius Guice forcing his way into the endzone from six yards out to take a 13-7 lead after Connor Culp missed the extra point. Arkansas responded with a 38-yard field goal from Connor Limpert to chip away at the lead.
Guice increased LSU’s lead on the very next drive with a 33-yard run to the endzone to make it a nine-point ballgame after another miss by Culp.
Etling put the final nail in Arkansas’ coffin on the first play of the fourth quarter with a deep ball to a wide-open DJ Chark to make it 26-10.
LSU will hit the road next weekend to take on the Tennessee Volunteers (4-5, 0-5 SEC) with kickoff set for 6 pm.
-Clint Domingue