FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — There was no post-game controversy Saturday night in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, no potentially game-altering penalty, no unbelievable turnover that shifted momentum and no question of which team was superior.
Arkansas (5-5, 1-5 Southeastern Conference) snapped its 17-game conference losing streak and regained the Golden Boot in dominant fashion, handing LSU (7-4, 3-4 SEC) its first shutout since the 2011 BCS National Championship Game.
The loss left LSU coach Les Miles wondering if his team suffered a hangover following its emotional loss to Alabama a week prior.
“It would be impossible for me to say, ‘No, that didn’t happen,’” Miles said. “At this point, the guy sitting in my seat is looking for answers.”
The Razorbacks won the game at the line of scrimmage.
LSU, which ran the ball for a combined 447 yards at an average of more than 4 yards per carry in its two previous games against Ole Miss and Alabama, was rendered useless by the Arkansas front seven, gaining just 36 yards on the ground on 32 carries.
The Tigers were held to 123 yards of total offense, less than half of their previous-worst yardage output this season of 259 in their 20-13 overtime loss to Alabama.
The Razorbacks’ defense also forced a fumble and got to sophomore quarterback Anthony Jennings four times for a combined loss of 36 yards. “Those guys were hungry,” senior running back Terrence Magee said. “They pursued the ball hard, and their defensive line did a great job.”
Miles acknowledged he may have relied too heavily on his struggling running game, especially early in the match. The Tigers finished the first quarter with -1 yard of total offense, largely because of an errant snap that cost them 27 yards on the second play from scrimmage.
“Certainly we should have tried to throw the ball more,” Miles said. “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.”
LSU’s stagnant rush attack was not aided by the fact it spent most of the game without two of its most experienced offensive linemen.
Junior left guard Vadal Alexander did not travel with the team because of a hand injury, and senior center Elliott Porter exited the contest early after suffering an ankle injury in the first half.
“It played a big factor in the game,” Magee said. “We had to go with some guys who were a little inexperienced, but we felt comfortable putting them in the game. We just have to do a better job up front, have to do a better job moving the ball and executing on passing plays. We just have to grow and get better this week coming up.”
Miles said Alexander will likely make a return in LSU’s season finale against Texas A&M but called the chances of a return by Porter “doubtful.”
The Tigers’ passing game did not provide much relief for the fledgling running game — Jennings completed 12 of his 22 pass attempts for 87 yards.
“I think we came in with a great mindset coming into this football game,” Jennings said. “We just had a couple of miscommunications and miscues. We just have to go into the lab and get better.”
LSU’s defense provided the only bright spot in the Tigers’ outing, limiting Arkansas to 264 yards of total offense and holding the Razorbacks to their third-lowest scoring output of the season.
Still, it wasn’t enough to keep Arkansas off the board and prevent the loss, as the Razorbacks slowly chipped away the Tigers’ defense and eventually created a three-score lead.
“I know they converted quite a bit of third downs,” said sophomore defensive tackle Christian LaCouture. “We were both physical tonight. I felt like their offensive line came off the ball [effectively].”
The Tigers are 1-2 in their last three games despite only allowing 37 points in regulation, but rather than point fingers, LSU’s defense continued to show solidarity with its offense while talking up the potential of its young skill players.
“We just have to stay motivated and confident,” said senior safety Ronald Martin. “I think our offense is steadily improving. Those guys are coming to practice every day and they want to be better. I think they’re going to be great in the future.”