Last second field goal puts LSU past Arkansas 34-31
It wasn’t pretty, but a 20-yard field goal with five seconds remaining gave LSU (3-1, 2-0) its second conference win over Arkansas 34-31.
LSU was a huge favorite over Arkansas (2-2, 0-1) in this game but found itself down 13-3 late in the second quarter due to a combination of bad quarterback play and poor coverage on defense.
One of those problems would take a 180-degree turn as the game went on - the other would go on throughout the game.
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels followed up his historic performance against Mississippi State last week with one of the worst starts in his career.
Daniels completed just seven of his first 14 passes for 70 yards and an interception. During that stretch, he missed many open receivers and underthrew a pair of deep balls that would have been touchdowns.
The result was two punts and an interception on LSU’s first three drives.
Then just before halftime down 13-3, it clicked for Daniels and the offense. LSU got the ball back with just 48 seconds to play before going into the locker room.
Daniels missed his first throw - an easy check down to receiver Malik Nabers. But responded with back-to-back strikes to receiver Brian Thomas for gains of 26 and 49 yards for the touchdown in just 18 seconds.
He went on to complete 13 of his last 15 passes with four touchdowns and a game-winning drive. LSU scored on its final six drives.
Daniels finished the game completing 20 of his 29 passes for 320 yards, four touchdowns and an interception while adding ten carries for 36 yards on the ground.
LSU coach Brian Kelly said he was out of rhythm in the first half causing these struggles.
“Once he was able to speed up his drop, he was in much better rhythm,” Kelly said.
However, LSU’s defensive backfield saw no such response.
LSU allowed Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson to complete 21 of his 31 passes for 289 yards, three touchdowns and a pair of interceptions. One of the interceptions was on the final Hail Mary attempt.
The Tigers had multiple coverage breakdowns allowing for long gains including a 59-yard score on a busted coverage to Arkansas tight end Luke Hasz to tie the game at 24 in the fourth quarter.
Fortunately for the Tigers, LSU got the got the ball with 5:01 left to play.
After such a bad start to the game, Daniels had a chance to be the hero and he did not disappoint leading LSU on a 9-play 72-yard drive to set up LSU kicker Damian Ramos with a 20-yard field goal with five seconds to play.
Ramos drilled the kick to secure the victory for the Tigers.
LSU was led in rushing by running back Logan Diggs with 97 yards on 14 carries.
Both of LSU’s top receivers put up huge numbers with Nabers grabbing eight balls for 130 yards and a pair of touchdowns and Thomas grabbing five for 133 yards and another pair of scores.
Defensively, safety Major Burns and linebacker Greg Penn led the team in tackles with 12 each. LSU linebacker Whit Weeks filled in again for the injured Omar Speights and was third in tackles with nine.
LSU Columbia Tamiami Short-Sleeve
from: Alumni Hall