It has been a forgettable season for LSU fans, but Frank Wilson and Michael Van Buren will never forget the date Nov. 15, 2025. That’s because Wilson became the first Black coach to lead an LSU football team to a victory, and Van Buren won his first SEC game as a starting quarterback.
It did not get off to a good start, as there must have been some bad juju left over from LSU’s last game in Tiger Stadium, when they were blown out by Texas A&M and after which Brian Kelly was fired.
The Tigers fell behind 14-0, but rallied for a thrilling, 23-22 victory.
Wilson told the team before the game that beating Arkansas would not be easy, despite what the 2-8 record line might indicate.
“When adversity hits you, you find a way, you will a way and you keep on punching, because it’s going to happen, I wish I could tell you that we are going to shut them out and it will be 50-0, that’s not a reality, the reality is that you are going to have to earn everything you get,” Wilson said.
The adversity arrived quickly for LSU as Arkansas returned a blocked punt for a touchdown. It was another bad punt that set up another first-quarter touchdown as Taylen Green ran it in from 11 yards out.
Poor special teams play was not the only reason LSU got off slow. Van Buren was shaky in his first start in a Tiger uniform.
LSU went 3-and-out on its first two possessions, but once Van Buren settled down the Tigers would score on four of their next five possessions to take a 16-14 halftime lead.
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“He knew what was in front of him, he got comfortable and began to take control of the game of the football team and picked up huge opportunities in rushing and great throws as well,” Wilson said.
Van Buren was 21-of-31 for 221 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 36 yards.
A mobile quarterback has been needed this season because of the Tigers’ poor offensive line play. Van Buren’s ability to run helped, especially his 35-yard run in the fourth quarter as the Tigers kept the football for the final 5 minutes of the game.
Van Buren made eight starts last season at Mississippi State but was 0-7 in SEC play.
“It’s a hard league to get wins, so to fight through adversity to get the first win, it feels amazing,” Van Buren.
It did help that Arkansas is a bad football team, and we found out why they have five losses this season in games decided by six points or less.
The Hogs fumbled on their opening drive as they were approaching the red zone.
Razorbacks QB Taylen Green threw his second interception of the first half when they had a chance to go up 21-13 before the break. It was a miscommunication between the QB and receiver, and LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane picked off the ball in the end zone.
On Arkansas’ first drive of the second half, they marched down the field but were stopped at the goal line.
A missed field goal on their last drive capped off another frustrating day for Arkansas.
It was an emotional week for Wilson. On Tuesday, the New Orleans native spoke at the funeral of his long-time mentor, Shane Williams.
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The longtime assistant coach got a Gatorade bath when the final seconds ticked off the clock. He was emotional as the team celebrated on the field, took pictures with family members before addressing the team in the locker room.
It’s unknown what the future holds for Wilson or Van Buren. There’s a chance Van Buren starts the final two regular-season games for LSU, as it’s unknown if Garrett Nussmeier will get over the re-aggravation of his abdominal injury.
Unless Van Buren plays really well, the next head coach will likely bring his own quarterback in.
Wilson might also not be part of the next coaching staff.
But on November 15, 2025, Wilson and Van Buren basked in the glow of years of hard work paying off and resulting in a come-from-behind win in the SEC.