The Recap: LSU 13, Arkansas 10

Take a bow, LSU defense.

The Tigers held Arkansas to just 10 points in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks passed for 116 yards, rushed for 133 yards and found the end zone just once – which came on a 40-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 13-10.

On a day where Jayden Daniels passed for just 86 yards, no touchdowns and turned the ball over twice, defensive coordinator Matt House’s unit was dialed in to save the day.

LSU forced two turnovers, including the game-sealing play by freshman linebacker Harold Perkins. With the Razorbacks driving to attempt to tie – or win – in the final minutes, Perkins came off the edge for another sack, this time stripping the football. The Tigers recovered, took possession and kneeled out the clock to salvage the 13-10 win.

Perkins, who tied LSU’s single-game sack record (4), was marvelous. He finished with eight tackles, six solo stops, four sacks, two forced fumbles and a day filled with getting after the quarterback.

Here’s the rundown on how the Tigers moved to 8-2 on the year and remained in control of first place in the SEC West with one conference game remaining.

FIRST QUARTER

Arkansas won the toss and elected to defer to the second half.

After driving across midfield on the opening possession of the game, LSU’s offense fell victim to quarterback Jayden Daniels’ second interception of the entire season – which came on a throw when Daniels appeared to try to tuck it before releasing the throw into the arms of a defender at the line of scrimmage.

Arkansas took the ball over, but went three-and-out and punted it back to the Tigers.

LSU fell behind the chains again as the Razorbacks brought pressure on Daniels, and a deep ball to Boutte on third down was overthrown. That brought Jay Bramblett on to punt for the first time in the game.

After driving into the red zone, LSU linebacker Greg Penn made a big stop on Arkansas quarterback Malik Hornsby, Arkansas was forced to settle for a 28-yard field goal.

Arkansas 3, LSU 0 – 4:48 remaining in first quarter

The hits kept coming for LSU when Jayden Daniels coughed up the football on the next drive, and once again, Arkansas secured the turnover.

But after starting at LSU’s 10-yard line, the Razorbacks went for it on 4th-and-Goal and were stopped when Hornsby attempted to scramble for the score.

Despite two turnovers for LSU and two trips to the red zone for Arkansas, the first quarter ended with the Tigers only trailing by three points.

SECOND QUARTER

Things got strange in a hurry in the second quarter.

Facing a 4th-and-1 from LSU’s own 24-yard line, head coach Brian Kelly kept the offense on the field to go for it.

The Tigers were hit with a false start after the snap, which brought on punter Jay Bramblett. But, the Tigers still didn’t punt it away, instead calling for the fake punt. Bramblett kept the ball and ran for the first down, but the play was called back for holding. Finally, after back-to-back penalties, LSU punted the ball away.

After a quick first down run by Arkansas quarterback Malik Hornsby, the Razorbacks were facing a third-and-7.

That’s when Harold Perkins stepped in.

The true freshman linebacker brought Hornsby down for the sack, stripping the ball in the process. LSU’s BJ Ojulari recovered the fumble at the Arkansas 37-yard line.

Jayden Daniels quickly scampered 20 yards to get the ball into the red zone, but another sack (the fourth in the first half) forced kicker Damian Ramos to come on and hit the 38-yard field goal.

LSU 3, Arkansas 3 – 9:28 remaining in second quarter

The following drive turned into another highlight reel moment by freshman linebacker Harold Perkins, who corralled Hornsby on third down for no gain and a forced punt.

LSU then buckled in with the running game, driving it all the way to the Arkansas six-yard line. Facing a 4th-and-4 from just six yards out from the end zone, Kelly elected to go for it instead of kicking the field goal. But a false start (again) backed LSU up to 4th-and-9, which brought the kicking unit on. Ramos hit the 29-yard field goal, which gave LSU the lead for the first time just before half.

LSU 6, Arkansas 3 – 1:54 remaining in second quarter

Arkansas moved the ball towards midfield in the final two minutes, but another pressure by the LSU defense on third down led to another punt.

The Tigers kneeled it out to take the three-point lead into halftime.

HALFTIME: LSU 6, Arkansas 3

THIRD QUARTER

LSU freshman linebacker Harold Perkins picked up where he left off in the first half, ending the first Arkansas possession of the half with back-to-back sacks to force the punt.

After going three-and-out following a third down drop by receiver Malik Nabers, the Tigers punted it back to the Razorbacks. But the LSU defense still didn’t blink, sacking Hornsby for a 12-yard loss when Arkansas elected to go for it on 4th-and-2 from midfield.

LSU then found the end zone for the first time all game.

After three runs, Jayden Daniels hit Kayshon Boutte for a 26-yard gain to the one-yard line. Josh Williams punched it in on the next snap, putting LSU ahead 13-3.

LSU 13, Arkansas 3 – 5:25 remaining in the third quarter

The Razorbacks made a change at quarterback, going from backup Malik Hornsby (who started in place of injured quarterback KJ Jefferson) to another backup in Cade Fortin.

Fortin’s first drive ended in a three-and-out and punt, and LSU popped a 31-yard run by Josh Williams. But after successfully moving the ball in recent drives, the Tigers went pass on the next three play calls. All three were unsuccessful, and LSU had to punt the ball.

FOURTH QUARTER

That was the window Arkansas needed.

Down 13-3, Arkansas hit on a 3rd-and-17 for 29 yards, then Fortin struck with the deep ball on a 40-yard catch-and-run down the sidelines.

After seemingly being unable to find a spark on offense, the Razorbacks used two plays to cash in on the team’s first touchdown of the day.

LSU 13, Arkansas 10 – 13:17 remaining in the fourth quarter

LSU picked up a first down with the ground game, and another run by Josh Williams moved the chains to 2nd-and-6. But the Tigers were hit with a false start to move it back to 2nd-and-11. Daniels was sacked on the next play, then forced to scramble before being tackled on third down.

Once again, LSU’s offense stalled and Bramblett was brought on to punt. But once again, the defense answered.

After giving up the pair of big plays on the prior drive, LSU’s defense buckled in and forced a three-and-out for the Razorbacks, putting a stop to the current run of momentum for the home team after Arkansas punted the ball back to the Tigers with 9 minutes remaining.

LSU kicked off the drive with a first down pass to Malik Nabers, then picked up nine yards and 10 yards on the next two plays. On 2nd-and-7, LSU went to the passing game and came away with an incompletion. That put the Tigers behind the chains on 3rd-and-7, and LSU’s pass to the sticks was caught by Boutte, but short of the line to gain. On 4th-and-1, Williams was stuffed on the run play to give Arkansas the ball with 6:08 left in the game and trailing by three points.

A 14-yard gain by running back Rocket Sanders moved Arkansas into LSU territory on the first play of the drive, but after being forced into a 3rd-and-10, Harold Perkins came on the blitz and hit Fortin – forcing the ball out of his hands and onto the ground. Micah Baskerville scooped up the loose ball, but the officials reviewed the play and ruled it an incomplete pass. Arkansas punted the ball to the LSU 12-yard line, choosing to play the field position game instead of attempting a 4th-and-10 from the 43-yard line.

LSU took the ball back over with four minutes left on the clock.

The Tigers quickly got into a 3rd-and-4 after two running plays, and Jayden Daniels went to Jaray Jenkins towards the sidelines. Jenkins made the catch and the referees gave LSU a first down, though the spot appeared generous. The officials reviewed the spot of the ball, but kept the ruling on the field.

That allowed the Tigers to burn all three of the Razorbacks’ timeouts, and after Noah Cain popped a long run on third down to set up 4th-and-1, Kelly elected to punt it away and trust his defense.

And the decision paid off.

Harold Perkins, who had been on fire all day, hit Fortin’s arm during his dropback and forced the fumble, which was recovered by LSU defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo. After the official reviewed the play, the call stood.

LSU’s offense got the ball back and kneeled out the game for the win.

The Tigers moved to 8-2 on the season and remain in control of first place in the SEC West.

FINAL: LSU 13, Arkansas 10