The Arkansas Razorbacks Beat LSU – What They’re Saying

 

This member of the sports desk woke up this  morning, a little groggy and pretty sure he had some crazy dream in which he kept saying, “The Arkansas Razorbacks beat LSU! They blanked them! Wasn’t even a game!”

This member searched the internet and found out, indeed, he’d had no dream. Bret Bielema and the Arkansas Razorbacks beat LSU, convincingly. We thought since we did so much looking around to prove it true, we would share with you what the world sports reporters and analysts are saying about the win

From Bleacher Report:

Neither team’s running backs lived up to the hype. But Arkansas’ got the job done, accounting for both of its touchdowns during a frigid evening in Fayetteville. 

Here are the grades/report cards. Grades for position groups, coaching and special teams are explained below.

(And you really should check out this guy’s grading system.)

From Tom Fornelli of CBSSports.com

A 1-13 record against the SEC is not pretty by any means, but you know what? It’s a lot better looking than 0-14.

And you can bet that 1-13 record feels pretty good to Bret Bielema right now, as Arkansas shut out LSU on Saturday night to give the Razorbacks their first SEC win under Bielema. The Hogs also claimed the Golden Boot trophy for the first time since 2010 and handed LSU its first shutout loss since the Tigers were held scoreless by Alabama in the 2011 title game.

“It is so exciting,” Bielema said. “I can’t say as a 5-5 coach that I enjoyed the championship years somewhere else any more than to see the growth out of some of these guys, and to see the genuine expression at the end of the game there and to see these guys grab me.”

It wasn’t the flashiest of wins, but Arkansas doesn’t care what the game looked like because that one in the win column looks like land to a team that’s been lost at sea for nearly two seasons now.

From Ron Higgins NOLA/Times Picayune

LSU, somehow still ranked 20th nationally, got shut out Saturday night for just the third time since 2002, this time by a team that had lost 17 straight SEC games.

LSU, perennially ranked in the top 10 nationally in recruiting, got handled by a program that is ecstatic when it signs enough talent to crack the top 30.

LSU, with one of the highest-paid head coaches in the nation and two of the best-paid coordinators in college football, could not score a touchdown on a program that had its last SEC shutout in ’02.

“I can’t even describe the feeling,” said Arkansas tight end Hunter Henry, who now plays for a 5-5 team (1-5 in the SEC’s West Division) that has a shot to become bowl-eligible with one more win.

In a way, you understood the celebration. On the other hand, maybe the Razorbacks’ players and fans should have waited to turn it loose until they beat a good team.

From ESPN’s SEC Blog

A Helmet Sticker for…

Martrell Spaight, LB, Arkansas: Two defensive players on this list? That must be what happens when the temperature drops and teams start playing defense in the SEC. It’s also a credit to Spaight, who was the best player on the field Saturday in the Razorbacks’ 17-0 shutout win over LSU. The senior linebacker finished with 10 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry to lead this much-improved Arkansas defense against the Tigers. Spaight now has a team-high 97 tackles on the season with two games left to play.

And…

A breakthrough for Arkansas: It was a long time coming, but Bret Bielema finally got the first league win of his Arkansas tenure when the Razorbacks shut out LSU 17-0 on Saturday. Oddly enough, the win ended a 17-game SEC losing streak. The Hogs came close against several teams this season — most notably Alabama and Mississippi State — but they controlled the night against LSU. They even handed the Tigers their first shutout loss since they fell 21-0 to Alabama in the BCS title game to end the 2011 season. Clearly, it meant something to the Razorbacks’ fans, though. They rushed the field to celebrate the win.

Here’s a transcript of what Miles said about Saturday’s loss to the Razorbacks from NOLA, where you’ll find video of player reactions to the loss.

Opening statement

What happened to us was initially we didn’t get on track offensively. We drove the ball in two drives and did not score. Lost a couple of guys and just didn’t have enough.

Defensively, I thought they played hard, tackled the ball well, made some mistakes in coverage that led to big plays. But we have to do better on offense. If we do better on offense it’s a different day.

What was the biggest culprit on offense?

“I don’t know. I’d like to tell you there’s an easy answer there. You can’t turn the ball over at the quarterback spot. On a nice run he turns the football over. But we should have moved the ball better earlier in the game. I can’t blame Anthony for that. Sure we’d have liked to finish with points on those two  drives when we got down there.

Is the lack of a passing game killing the running game?

“Certainly we should have tried to throw the ball more. They were loading the box early. Uncharacteristically, we were out of rhythm completely at the beginning of the game offensively. I just didn’t get that.”

Did you come close to using Brandon Harris?

“I gave thought to it. Depending on where we were at in the game, I kind of felt like ‘let’s finish with Anthony’.”

Did the missing offensive linemen have an effect on the offense?

“Yes it did (affect us). I haven’t seen the film but there were some mishaps. We had several guys at different spots.”

What has Brandon Harris done in preparation since Auburn game?

He’s taken 50 percent of the snaps. He’s developing very well.

Did Colby Delahoussaye say anything after the missed field goals?

“I talked to him after the first field goal. He said he toed it. He said “I’v got to fix that. I’m good.’ I didn’t talk to him after the second one.”

Was the second one rushed?

“No, not at all. It should have been a kick. To me, for some reason, the clock was running down, and I was in position to think about making a timeout call.”

It seems the offense is getting worse as the defense gets better.

“Certainly we would have liked to move the ball better. We lost another offensive starter, and we jumbled the lineup. That created some issues.”

How good was Arkansas?

“Arkansas is a good football team; much improved. I think their quarterback played very well tonight. The story is, we need to make some adjustments and fix us. Fix us, and finish the seasons trong.

Was this as flat as your team has ever been?

“I don’t know if flat is the word. We’ll have to study that. Figure that one out.”

Is it puzzling to you you can’t run the plays in your game plan?

“Give Arkansas some credit. I the early going, playing very well. If the offense starts faster, it’s a different game. That’s all. It’s just that simple. Work to do.”

Is Leonard Fournette hurt? He ran five times.

“No, I don’t think so. Some of the things we’ve practiced him in, we weren’t having a lot of success with. It didn’t look like it was going to be something to merit carries. Not him, but his part of the game plan. I don’t know how many times we threw the football, but obviously in the back in of the game we were throwing the football all the time.”

Do you think some of the team carried the Alabama loss here with them?

“Well there’s got to be something. You’d like to think not. I can tell you one thing, I saw effort and energy. I didn’t see finish. I think we were not crisp to start. I thought defensively we played well at times.”

Is there a package you can use for Harris, five plays here or there?

“What we’re trying to do is make 10 other players effective as well. At this point in time, it’s a quality opinion. Could I get some other guys some playing time? I can’t disagree with that. I think we went with Anthony for the reason he gives us the best chance at victory.

What changes can you make?

You’re going to have to give me some time to spend with this game film and this week coming up. I will make some adjustments. I’m probably more concerned with the offensive line.”

How much did that hurt having two offensive line starters out? 

“I think it was very significant. But it’s very difficult for me to say how significant or if it was the reason. Let me look at it.”

What are the chances of Elliott Porter and Vadal Alexander playing the next game?

“I think Vadal is likely. I don’t know about Elliott, I would say doubtful.”

What did Arkansas do well as opposes to past weeks?

“I thought they threw the football with some imagination. I think the open week certainly helped them. They brought 33 (Korliss Marshall) got him a couple of carries. He was injured up to this point. He had a couple nice runs up the sides.

Did the loss to Alabama linger?

“It would be impossible for me to say no, that didn’t happen. At this point, the guy sitting in my seat is looking for answers.”

What about the open week?

“First we’ll reconcile this game tomorrow. See where we’re going to put our guys and see how we play, assess how we play. There’s ways for us to get better.”

Did you underestimate the youth of this team?

“Historically, we think our guys need to perform. That’s because we do a great job recruiting and these guys are talented guys. I don’t think anybody is taking the excuse of youth.”

Here’s how the LSU Sports Information Department reported the game – with a headline that read “Missed Opportunities Mar LSU in Shutout Loss”

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — LSU missed two field goals and fumbled inside the Arkansas redzone, as the Tigers lost to Arkansas on Saturday in frigid Reynolds Razorback Stadium, 17-0.

LSU (7-4, 3-4 SEC) held the Hogs to a season-low 264 yards of total offense but couldn’t take advantage of limited opportunities on offense. The Tigers – who played without offensive guard Vadal Alexander and running back Kenny Hilliard, and lost center Elliott Porter in the first half to an injury – found little running room against the Razorbacks and weren’t able to piece together a consistent passing attack.

Arkansas (5-5, 1-5 SEC) snapped a 17-game SEC losing streak dating to 2012. The Razorbacks were 10-of-17 on third down and outgained LSU, 264-123.

LSU quarterback Anthony Jennings was 12-of-22 passing for 87 yards, while Terrence Magee had a team-high 24 rushing yards. Travin Dural‘s five catches for 46 yards were a team-high.

Razorbacks quarterback Brandon Allen led his team to victory by completing 16-of-27 passes for 169 yards. Junior running back Jonathan Williams rushed 18 times for 55 yards while sophomore Alex Collins added 16 carries for 46 yards. Each scored a touchdown. Hunter Henry was Allen’s top target with four catches for 54 yards, while AJ Derby added 36 yards on four catches.

The 33-degree game-time temperature was the second-lowest recorded for an LSU football game since 1961.

LSU returns to action at 6:30 p.m. CT on Thanksgiving night, Nov. 27, when the Tigers travel to face Texas A&M. The game will be broadcast by ESPN.

First-Half Blow-by-Blow

LSU won the coin toss and deferred its decision until the second half. Arkansas elected to take the opening kickoff with its back to the south endzone.

After Williams earned a first down with a pair of runs, Allen pitched to wide receiver Korliss Marshall who came in motion and took the ball around the left end for 14 yards before being stopped by LSU safety Jalen Mills before reaching open field. Allen managed to rid himself of the ball just in time for a 16-yard catch over the middle by tight end Hunter Henry to the LSU 33. A short screen pass to Marshall on third-and-8 was good for 14 yards to the LSU 17, but LSU’s defense stopped the pursuit and forced a 32-yard field goal by Adam McFain.

Arkansas led 3-0 with 10:26 remaining in the first quarter.

LSU’s first drive of the game was doomed by a snap over the head of Jennings that the quarterback chased down at the LSU 3 for a loss of 27 yards. Jamie Keehn entered for a 45-yard punt.

The Razorbacks went three-and-out quickly when LSU defensive tackle Davon Godchaux pressured Allen and wide receiver Jeremy Sprinkle dropped a pass down the field. Arkansas punted for the first time, pinning LSU at its 9 with a 36-yard effort by Sam Irwin-Hill.

A 9-yard run by Jennings on the ensuing drive was good for a first down, and Darrel Williams added a 4-yard run for a first downs on third-and-1 to the LSU 32. However, a sack of Jennings on the following play put LSU behind on down and distance and the Tigers punted from its 25.

Arkansas need 15 plays to travel 59 yards and score the only touchdown of the first half, a 1-yard run by Williams on third-and-goal. Allen looked in the direction of Derby six times during the drive and connected on three of the passes for 23 yards and a pair of first downs. On third-and-14 from the LSU 15, LSU cornerback Tre’Davious White was flagged for pass interference against Henry at the 5-yard line. The penalty proved costly and Arkansas led 10-0 with 8:40 left in the half.

LSU’s attempt to answer started when Arkansas kicked off out of bounds, giving the Tigers positive field position at its 35. A 5-yard scamper on third-and-3 by Jennings and another 5-yard run by Terrence Magee each were good for first downs to the Arkansas 41. Jennings then overcame a false start penalty with an 11-yard pass to Dural on third-and-5 from the Hogs 36. Three plays later, Dural was grabbed by Arkansas cornerback Henre’ Toliver and flagged for pass interference on third-and-6. LSU managed only three yards to setup a Colby Delahoussaye 27-yard field goal. However, he pushed the kick to the right from the left hash.

Despite a 15-play, 55-yard drive that took 6:59, LSU came away empty.

In the final 101 seconds, Arkansas worked its way into LSU territory with an 18-yard catch by Jared Cornelius, but linebacker Deion Jones nearly intercepted a pass on the next play and the he and Kendell Beckwith stuffed Marshall for a 5-yard loss on the second-down play.

Arkansas took one shot down the field before running to the lockerroom with a 10-0 lead.

Second-Half Blow-by-Blow

The teams traded punts without gaining a first down on the first two drives of the second half. LSU had a chance to change the momentum of the game on Arkansas’s drive when defensive end Jermauria Rasco ripped the ball from Williams’ hands at the Arkansas 19. However, LSU wasn’t able to pick up the ball before it rolled out of bounds, allowing the Hogs to get off easy.

On LSU’s second possession of the second half, Magee found room up the middle for 12 yards to the Arkansas 44 on the first play. On third-and-5, Jennings overthrew tight end DeSean Smith but Arkansas safety Rohan Gaines was flagged for targeting and was ejected from the game. Though the 15-yard penalty gave LSU first down at the Arkansas 24, Jennings was sacked on third down and Delahoussaye’s 47-yard attempt was well short.

Arkansas overcame a personal foul and second-and-22 with a 17-yard catch by Sprinkle and a 29-yard catch-and-run by Henry to the LSU 36. Again, LSU’s defense stepped up to the challenge, as defensive tackle Christian LaCouture sacked Allen on third-and-9 to force a punt.

Pinned at its 6, LSU wasn’t able to escape and punted after gaining five yards on a pass to John Diarse on third down.

With a short field starting at its 45, Arkansas seized momentum with a 12-play, 55-yard touchdown drive that spanned the third and fourth quarters. The Hogs converted third downs of 1, 7, 11 and 1 yards to push its lead to 17-0 with 11:03 remaining in the contest. Collins gained the final third down with a third-and-1 run for a 5-yard touchdown.

LSU went to the air in an attempt to get back into the game, but it was a running play that foiled the Tigers productive drive. Jennings completed passes of 6 and 8 yards to Malachi Dupre and Dural for a first down before running 13 yards up the middle for another to the Arkansas 48. Three-straight passes were completed for 21 yards to setup second-and-2 from the Hogs 27. Jennings’ gained enough yards on a designed run to move the chains but fumbled to Arkansas at the 19.

A quick three-and-out by Arkansas gave LSU possession at its 20 but the Tigers were unable to gain a first down after four passes.

Arkansas ran out the clock before sprinting to the LSU sideline to take possession of the Golden Boot. Fans streamed onto the field though event management took down the goal posts in advance of the stampede.

Announced attendance was 70,165.

And as always,if we see other interesting commentary from around the world of sport on the game, we’ll update it on this page.

Arkansas Razorbacks Beat LSU

Tags: ,