By Hunt Palmer
LSU avoided a slow start on Saturday night in Fayetteville, but the Tigers didn’t seize total control of the game when the opportunity arose.
At halftime, the Tigers lead, 16-7.
LSU drove the ball right down the field on the game’s first possession for a touchdown. After and field goal made the lead 10-0, LSU forced a turnover to set up a short field that could have really put the game in an early vice grip for the Tigers. Instead, LSU settled for a field goal, and when Arkansas responded with a 75-yard touchdown drive, the lead shrunk to 13-7.
Part of the reason LSU was settling for field goals was an epidemic of pre-snap penalties on the Tigers. LSU was whistled for six false start penalties and a snap infraction in the first half. Razorback Stadium is full and loud, but the Tigers simply must clean that up after intermission.
LSU’s ground game excelled in the first half. Caden Durham’s 23-yard touchdown run on LSU’s first drive was the highlight, but the Tigers averaged 6.1 yards per carry.
Chewing up yards on the ground has led to a possession time lead of 19:12 to 10:48 for LSU. The Tigers have run 38 plays to the Hogs’ 25.
The Hogs’ top target, wide receiver Andrew Armstrong, has accounted for the lion’s share of Arkansas’s production. He’s got 90 yards receiving on six catches including the lone touchdown for the home team.
Arkansas will get the football when play resume
