It wasn’t pretty, but the LSU Tigers got the job done in Fayetteville, defeating Arkansas 13-10 on a chilly Saturday.
While the offense struggled for most of the game, the defense picked them up and made critical stops throughout the game, right up to the final whistle.
The Tigers can now head back to Baton Rouge with the Golden Boot and the SEC West crown due to Alabama’s defeat of Ole Miss later in the day.
The Tigers saw true freshman Harold Perkins become a household name with his play on the field while former walk-on running back Josh Williams carried the offense when they needed him. We’ll take a look at both of these standouts while breaking down the good, bad and ugly in the Tigers win over the Hogs.
THE GOOD: LSU Defense
The LSU offense followed the blueprint today on how to lose a game. They started with an interception, then 3 and out, then a fumble. But the defense made sure that didn’t happen, holding the Razorbacks to just 3 points on the board in the first half.
Arkansas could have easily been up 10-0 to start the game, but it was the play of the front 7 that rattled QB Malik Hornsby. Perkins chased him down play after play, often serving in a spy role. Perkins finished the game with an LSU record-tying four sacks and two forced fumbles.
Related
For the most part Arkansas was shut down. The Razorbacks’ lone scoring drive featured three plays of 15-plus yards, the final one a touchdown pass from third-string QB Cade Fortin, Arkansas’ only TD on the day.
It was an ugly game, but the Tigers made the plays late to keep Arkansas from retaking the lead.
MORE GOOD: Josh Williams
There was really only one standout on offense and it was a former walk-on running back. Josh Williams finished the game with 122 yards on 19 carries. He was also responsible for the Tigers only touchdown of the game.
Williams’ small stature is similar to another former LSU running back in Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Both run hard and always seem to fall forward. It was Williams second 100-plus rushing game of the season, along with a 106-yard rushing performance against Florida.
Related
THE BAD: LSU Passing Attack
After weeks of dynamic QB play, the Tigers’ passing attack was nearly non-existent out in a chilly Fayetteville. Three wide receivers finished the game with catches, but the only real highlight came on Kayshon Boutte’s 26 yard catch down at the goal line to set up a Williams TD run.
I don’t really put much blame on the wide receivers, as QB Jayden Daniels seemed to hold on to the football longer than usual. You can put excuses on the weather conditions, defensive scheme or just lack of time that Daniels had due to the Arkansas pass rush. The 7 sacks allowed in the game were tied for the most allowed in a single game dating back to 2000.
LSU found itself in plenty of third-and-long situations and you saw the result. The Tigers were 4 for 14 on third down. The creativity on offense just wasn’t there on Saturday, but they’ll have time to get right with UAB coming to Tiger Stadium next, ahead of a trip to Texas A&M.
Related
THE UGLY: Jayden Daniels & the play-calling
The Tigers have been known to be slow starters, but they almost put themselves in a huge hole early in this one with bad mistakes. Daniels ended the first drive with an interception, followed up by a 3-and-out.
The next time he got the ball it was a fumble, which gave Arkansas the ball back in prime field position. A questionable decision to go on 4th down in the red zone failed, but the Tigers could have easily found themselves in a 10-0 hold early in this one. Against a better opponent that type of start could’ve easily swung the result.
Arkansas was committed to stopping Daniels and his running attack. This offensive film could easily be burned or thrown away, but we’ll see how they adjust next week against an inferior opponent.
The Tigers are coming back to Baton Rouge Saturday night as SEC West Champions. That’s something no LSU fan was envisioning just a few weeks ago in their blowout loss to Tennessee, or after a season-opening loss to Florida State. Things change fast, but believe it or not: LSU is headed to the SEC Championship.
Related
