It wasn’t a work of art, but efficient play from all three phases of the game left the Tigers with a “W” in a 20-13 victory.
There was a déjà vu moment for plenty of Tiger fans in Fayetteville, Ark., on this cold Saturday evening as the Razorbacks had a chance to pull off a fourth quarter comeback with under two minutes in regulation.
Only three weeks ago, the Tigers found themselves ahead of rival Alabama before eventually losing on a last minute drive by the Crimson Tide.
Arkansas wasn’t as successful.
With 1:26 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Razorbacks had possession on their own 22 yard line. After driving down to the LSU red zone with six seconds left, an incomplete pass sealed the deal as the clock struck 0:00.
After being shut out in the first half, the Razorbacks came on strong in the third quarter, as they scored on both a field goal and a touchdown.
LSU freshman running back Jeremy Hill answered the Razorbacks’ first three points with six of his own, as his one-yard score gave the Tigers a 14-point lead.
The Tigers passing attack had its moments, as sophomore wide receivers Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham, Jr. combined for 187 yards and a touchdown.
Beckham, Jr. partook in one of the more pivotal plays of the game, as LSU needed an offensive player to step up as Arkansas cut the Tigers’ lead down to four with 5:16 remaining in the contest.
Then junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger connected with his second-year receiver for 47 yards, putting LSU into field goal range and placing the pressure back on the Razorbacks’ sideline.
Mettenberger was proficient from the pocket, completing 16-of-29 passes for 217 yards and a score.
Drew Alleman, the usually shaky senior kicker for the Tigers, came through in the clutch on two separate occasions, connecting on a career-long 49-yard field goal in the first quarter. He would tack on another 27-yard field goal to give LSU a 20-13 lead in the fourth.
With the regular season officially finished, the Tigers will now have to wait and hope as Saturday’s games play out.
A number of different options remain open for LSU, including an SEC Championship game appearance if Alabama falls to Auburn and Texas A&M conquers Missouri.
Even without an SEC Championship, the Tigers could still find themselves in a BCS bowl game before the season comes to a close.
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LSU head coach Les Miles pumps up his team before the game against Arkansas in Fayetteville on Novembre 23, 2012. The Tigers would hold off a late fourth-quarter drive to beat the Hogs 20-13.
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LSU junior cornerback Tharold Simon (24) sprints down the sideline after picking off Arkansas’ Tyler Wilson during the Tiger’s 20-13 win over the Razorbacks in Fayetteville.
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LSU sophomore tight end Travis Dickson (41) celebrates with sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) after Landry’s leaping touchdown grab in the first half of the Tiger’s 20-13 win over Arkansas in Fayetteville on November 23, 2012.
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LSU junior running back Spencer Ware (11) puts his arm around sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) after Landry’s leaping touchdown reception in the first half of LSU’s 20-13 win over Arkansas on November 23, 2012 in Fayetteville.
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LSU sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) points to the crowd after his leaping touchdown reception in the first half of LSU’s 20-13 win over Akransas in Fayetteville on November 23, 2012.
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LSU freshman running back Jeremy Hill (33) stretches toward the goal line during the Tiger’s 20-13 win over Arkansas on November 23, 2012 in Fayetteville.
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LSU head coach Les Miles (left) hugs Arkansas head coach John L. Smith (right) after the Tiger’s 20-13 win over the Razorbacks on November 23, 2012 in Fayetteville.
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The LSU football team hoist “The Boot,” a trophy given to the victor of the annual LSU-Arkansas game, following the Tiger’s 20-13 win over the Razorbacks on Novmber 23, 2012 in Fayetteville.
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The LSU football team hoist “The Boot,” a trophy given to the victor of the annual LSU-Arkansas game, following the Tiger’s 20-13 win over the Razorbacks on Novmber 23, 2012 in Fayetteville.
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The LSU football team sing the Alma Mater after the Tiger’s 20-13 victory over Arkansas in Fayetteville on November 23, 2012.
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Members of the LSU football team pose around “The Boot” trophy after the Tigers 20-13 win over the Razorbacks on November 23, 2012 in Fayetteville.
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LSU junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) scrambles for yards during the Tiger’s 20-13 win over Arkansas on November 23, 2012.
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LSU junior linebacker Lamin Barrow (57) tackles Arkansas senior running back Dennis Johnson (33) during the Tiger’s 20-13 win over the Hogs in Fayetteville on November 23, 2012.
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LSU freshman cornerbacks Jalen Collins (32) and Jalen Mills (28) tackle Arkansas junior wide receiver Demetrius Wilson (81) during the Tiger’s 20-13 win over the Razorbacks on November 23, 2012.
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LSU sophomore wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) eludes Arkansas tacklers during the Tiger’s 20-13 win over the Razorbacks on Novembre 23, 2012.
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LSU sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) avoids an Arkansas defender during the Tiger’s 20-13 win over Arkansas on November 23, 2012.
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LSU junior running back Spencer Ware (11) dodges a would-be Arkansas tackler during the Tiger’s 20-13 win over the Razorbacks on November 23, 2012.
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LSU sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry tries to break through Arkansas defenders during the Tiger’s 20-13 win over the Razorbacks on November 23, 2012.
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LSU head coach Les Miles speaks with freshman offensive tackle Vadal Alexander (78) during a timeout in the Tiger’s 20-13 win over Arkansas on November 23, 2012.
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LSU junior defensive end Barkevious Mingo (49) tackles Arkansas senior quarterback Tyler Wilson (8) as he throws during the Tiger’s 20-13 win over the Razorbacks on November 23, 2012.
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LSU junior linebacker Kevin Minter (46) slams into Arkansas junior wide receiver Javontee Herndon (19) during the Tiger’s 20-13 win over the Razorbacks on November 23, 2012.
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LSU junior running back Michael Ford (42) sprints past Arkansas defenders following a Razorback kickoff during the Tiger’s 20-13 win over the Hogs on November 23, 2012.
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LSU junior running back Spencer Ware (11) tries to shake an Arkansas defender during the TIger’s 20-13 win over the Razorbacks on Novebmer 23, 2012 in Fayetteville.
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LSU head coach Les Miles argues with an official during the Tiger’s 20-13 win over Arkansas on November 23, 2012.
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LSU junior running back Spencer Ware (11) tries to avoid a flying Arkansas tackle during the TIger’s 20-13 win over the Hogs on November 23, 2012.
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