LSU Football: Instant reaction to win over Arkansas
By John Fye
LSU Football retains ‘The Boot’ trophy after beating Arkansas 34-31 in Baton Rouge on Saturday. Here’s what I’m thinking in the hours following the game.
The beauty of college football is that it’s full of surprises. LSU Football appeared poised to crush Arkansas in Week 4 because of what we know of Week 3. However, the season remains young, a team’s motivation is relative, and anything can happen in a rivalry game.
Arkansas entered Tiger Stadium almost the opposite of the team that lost to BYU in Fayetteville a week ago. Head coach Sam Pittman deserves much credit for leading his team to adjust, improve, and show up ready to play.
Indeed, the Razorbacks outplayed LSU for most of the first half of Saturday’s game.
I think the Tigers were caught off guard by how well Arkansas moved the ball on offense. The Hogs’ approach differed from Week 3 as KJ Jefferson looked like the dual-threat quarterback we know him to be. The senior lit up the LSU Football defense for 48 rushing yards, 289 passing yards, and three passing touchdowns.
The Razorbacks were wise to put Jefferson on the move for much of the game, and it nearly led to an upset win.
Conversely, the LSU Football offense started their Week 4 game with an approach similar to Week 3 at Mississippi State. Except, the Tigers were not playing Mississippi State again. Tonight, they squared off with the (more talented) Razorbacks.
As such, Jayden Daniels had to step up his game and lead the offense. At the same time, LSU’s running back and receivers needed to step up their efforts and find the open field. Thankfully, all members of the LSU Football offense answered the bell.
The Tigers’ offense dominated the second half vs. Arkansas and moved the ball at will. Daniels’ 49-yard touchdown pass to Brian Thomas to start the second half reinforced my confidence in Brian Kelly’s program.
I preferred a more lopsided win tonight, but only because I’m anxious to see LSU back in the top-10 rankings. However, Arkansas is a solid program, and I think tonight’s win will serve Kelly well in building his team’s character.
Ultimately, I can’t complain because LSU retains ‘The Boot’ trophy for another year.
The Tigers will play Arkansas in Fayetteville next on a date and time to be determined. I mentioned in many articles that LSU and Arkansas would not see each other again until 2025 because of a change in SEC scheduling format. That is incorrect.
LSU has never beaten these FBS teams. dark. Next
Arkansas and LSU will play in Fayetteville in 2024. However, 2024 is the final contest before the teams move to an every-other-season format.