Poor coverage, missed tackles and a turnover doomed the No. 9 LSU football team for most of the first half of Saturday night’s contest with the University of Arkansas. But the Tigers grabbed a quick score at the end of the second quarter to head into the locker room trailing 21-7.
After getting shut out in last year’s road loss to the Razorbacks, the first 29 minutes of this year’s matchup wasn’t much kinder to LSU. Arkansas outgained LSU 255-110 in total yards despite LSU recording two first-half turnovers.
After a fumble by Arkansas junior running back Alex Collins on the opening possession of the game, LSU went backwards on its first drive with a four-yard loss for sophomore running back Leonard Fournette and a sack of sophomore quarterback Brandon Harris on third and long.
The Razorbacks used the momentum of the early defensive stand for an explosive play on its next series. Arkansas senior quarterback Brandon Allen hit junior receiver Dominique Reed on a crossing route, and Reed sprinted past LSU defensive backs for a 52-yard touchdown.
LSU then punted on its next two possessions, giving way to a 80-yard scamper by Collins to give the Razorbacks a 14-0 lead. The Tigers looked to have a promising drive going as they reached the Arkansas 30-yard line early in the second quarter, but a facemask penalty on senior offensive tackle Vadal Alexander killed the drive, forcing LSU to punt again.
LSU later came up with an interception when Jamal Adams picked off Allen’s pass in the end zone on fourth and four from the Tiger 33-yard line, but Harris was sacked for the fourth time on the next possession, fumbling the ball away in the process. Collins would score from five yards out two plays later to give the Razorbacks a 21-0 lead.
But Harris and the Tigers found life in the final minute of the quarter, marching 92 yards on nine plays. The drive ended with a five-yard touchdown reception from sophomore receiver Malachi Dupre, which deflected off junior receiver Travin Dural’s hand.