With the score being 14-10 after an LSU field goal, the defense trotted back out in hopes of making a play to change the trajectory of the game.
After going down early, it felt like another disappointing show from a defense that’s been reliable for the majority of the season.
On 1st-and-10, Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green rolled to his right to scan and search for an open receiver. He forced it to his receiver surrounded by an ambush of Tigers, and it was ripped away by none other than No. 7 himself.
LSU won its first game under interim head coach Frank Wilson after defeating the Razorbacks 23-22 despite trailing 14-0 in the first quarter.
Quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. played well in his first start, going 21-for-31 for 221 passing yards, one passing touchdown and rushing for 36 yards.
It took some time for the Tigers’ offense to start clicking and find their rhythm, but the defense made some crucial plays to keep them in the game.
Leading the way for the defense was linebacker Harold Perkins Jr., who was making plays all over the field.
The player who was gifted with the iconic No. 7 jersey last year showed why he was more than deserving of LSU’s ongoing tradition of honoring playmakers.
Perkins finished Saturday’s game with four total tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, and a sack to go with his interception.
Even though the drive for the Tigers only resulted in a field goal following the turnover, it was a monumental play in a game that was decided by only one point.
It couldn’t have happened without the all-around performance from the redshirt junior who’s
Against Alabama, he tallied a season high of nine total tackles, a sack and a forced fumble, which he also recovered.
Even in the lopsided loss against Texas A&M, where Perkins only had two tackles, he snagged an interception.
It’s been a long journey for Perkins, who has battled adversity throughout his four years at LSU. When he first arrived on the scene in Baton Rouge, he was ranked as the No.5 player in the class of 2022 and the No. 1 linebacker in the country according to 247sports.
After barely sniffing the field during his first career game, Perkins earned more playing time and instantly started making a difference once he stepped onto the field more and more.
Performances like seen in the games against Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Alabama and, of course, the game against Arkansas, where he had three sacks and two forced fumbles, shot Perkins into one of the most impactful freshmen in college football.
“They played No. 40 (Perkins) more, which we eventually thought they would do because he doesn’t look like anybody else out there,” Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin said after the loss in 2022.
He finished the year with 72 total tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception.
With numbers like those, he was able to earn a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team as well as Second Team All-SEC.
It felt like he was on top of the college football world, and as he continued to train and develop under the Tigers, the expectation for him was to continue this path of success.
However, not everything goes as planned, and sometimes it’s out of your control.
For Perkins, the horrendous defense that took place during his sophomore season engulfed him, yet he still put up similar numbers, with 75 total tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks and an interception.
Still one of the most impactful players on the team, Perkins was gifted No. 7, becoming the 10th player to don the number since the tradition began in 2008.
The 2024 season took an even worse turn for Perkins, as his season was cut short due to a torn ACL against UCLA. Perkins redshirted last year and decided to return for the 2025 season.
Through 10 games, Perkins has totaled 48 tackles, and he leads the team in sacks (4), tackles for a loss (7.5) and interceptions (2).
Perkins has made strides to show why he’s still a valuable piece for an elite LSU defense, and even though the season hasn’t gone as planned, he’s enjoyed the year and continued to have fun.
“I feel like it’s been fun for me,” Perkins said. “It’s always good for me. I feel like life is what you make it. So, at the end of the day, if you don’t like the way your life is going, change the trajectory.”
