LSU Football defeats Arkansas in the Tigers earliest home kickoff of the the season. This game marked Quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr.’s first start in the purple and gold.
The Tigers went down early, giving up two touchdowns in the first quarter. The Tigers weren’t rattled as they had timely plays from their defensive stars and a monster run game.
Defensive players Harold Perkins Jr. and Mansoor Delane were able to wreck the game for Arkansas and give the Tigers an advantage.
Perkins Jr. finished with a sack, an interception, and two and a half tackles for loss. His ability to chase and pressure Taylen Green made it a whole lot easier for his fellow star, Mansoor Delane to make big plays.
Delane also had an interception as well as two pass break ups. Delane is a candidate for the Jim Thorpe Award which is given out to the best defensive back in college football.
Since transferring to LSU, Delane has been the brightest piece on the LSU defense. Interim Head Coach Frank Wilson had nothing but praise for his star corner.
“He does it weekly for us in his preparation,” Coach Wilson said. “It carries over on Saturdays and in games. And it’s a reflection of when hard work meets opportunity in preparation. That’s the result you get. And so very proud of Mansoor and the job he’s doing.”
When Coach Wilson was put in charge he made it an emphasis for LSU to run the ball and against a weak Arkansas defense, that is exactly what the Tigers did.
Van Buren and running backs Harlem Berry and Caden Durham propelled the LSU offense on the ground and combined for 148 rushing yards.
Coach Wilson wants to run the ball so that his team can take control of the time game.
“When they’re that dangerous as an offense, you want to reduce their opportunity,” Coach Wilson said. “We want to increase our opportunities. And we were able to do that, because we ran the ball well, because we beat them in time of possession.”
With this win, Coach Wilson becomes the first African-American Head Coach at LSU to win a game. And in the first ever Battle for the Golden Boot between two head coaches, Wilson comes out on top with the win and some new hardware.
