LSU Tigers

LSU Dismantles Arkansas, Putting An End To The Alabama Hangover

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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So much for the Alabama Hangover.  A week after being shut out by the Crimson Tide at home, the Tigers went on the road and piled up the points on the woeful Razorback’s D.

In an earlier post, I discussed how historically LSU has had a period of games following recent losses to the Crimson Tide that had become known as the Alabama Hangover.  During that 5 year span, LSU has lost to Arkansas the last two seasons 17-0 and 31-14 respectively.

That all changed tonight when LSU was able to capitalize on Arkansas’ Porous Defense.  Not only were the Tigers able to quadruple their total offensive output from last week (547 vs 125), but they also had more than 10 times the rushing yards (390 vs 33).

Fournette was the 1st player to reach the endzone.  The first time was on a 9 play, 75 yard drive in the 1st quarter, and the 2nd time was on a 3 play,18 yard drive.

Nov 12, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

That was scored within the first 6 seconds of the 2nd quarter thanks to a Donnie Alexander interception, his first of the season, towards the end of the 1st quarter.

The way the game started, Fournette may have been able to rack up both the points, and the yardage to get into the record books again.  However, less than 2 minutes into the 2nd quarter, he was hurt on a running play by Arkansas’ Bijhon Jackson. It cost the Tigers 5 yards, but thankfully, not our starting running back.

That play opened the door for this to become the Derrius Guice Show.  With 10:19 remaining in the half, Guice made it a 21-0 lead on his way to a 252 yard and 2 touchdown night.  It appeared as though the route was on!  With less than 7 minutes to go, it seemed all but inevitable after a huge sack by LSU’s Duke Riley.  Then the impossible happened.

With under 6 minutes to go, Austin Allen connected with Dominique Reed – over Jim Thorpe Candidate, Tra’davious White – for a 44 yard touchdown!  It was only the 10th touchdown that LSU has given up all season; and it came when White apparently stopped on the play.  We seemed to get the momentum back before halftime, with a combo sack from Gilmore and Godchaux, but 15 minutes is a long time!

LSU came out really flat in the second half, and it showed.  It started with a holding call on Pocic, which led to a false start on Teuhema, and ended with a fumble by Leonard Fournette.  That put Arkansas in great field position, as they started on LSU’s 31 yard line.

Nov 12, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; LSU Tigers linebacker Duke Riley (40) looks into the backfield of the Arkansas Razorbacks during the third quarter of the game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. LSU won 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

Aranda’s defense bent a little in that situation; but a potential intercept by Arden Key kept Arkansas out of the endzone, and only netted them the last 3 points they would score all game.  His defense would be tested again later on in the quarter when Tra’Davious White muffed a punt on LSU’s 42, but this time the Tigers held firm and kept Arkansas off the board completely.

Twice in the fourth quarter it looked like the LSU Defense would give up its 11th touchdown of the season, but both opportunities were thwarted!  The first came with a Dwayne Thomas interception in the redzone, that Guice parlayed into a 96 yard touchdown scamper.  The other came with a fumble recovery by Kendell Beckwith in the endzone; to seal the 38-10 victory.

Overall it was a great night for the Tigers.  There are still some things that need to be cleaned up on both sides of the ball, including Etling’s inefficiencies to get his WR’s involved in the passing game (5 of Etling’s 10 completions were caught by wideouts).  Defensively, we just need to shore up our run stopping and some coverage issues.  But tonight is a night to celebrate Tiger Fans; so far it looks as though we won’t have much of a hangover this season.

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