LSU OUTLAST ARKANSAS 23-22, SEAL FRANK WILSON'S 1ST WIN

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By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

Surviving an early 14-0 deficit inside the 1st quarter, responding with their own 16-0 run in the 2nd, Frank Wilson's LSU held the rope & won their first game in just over a month, outlasting a spirited Arkansas Razorbacks 23-22.

While LSU's defense endured another game without the injured Whit Weeks, Blake Baker's defense received major contributions from a number of defenders across the entirety of the 60 minutes, created 3 turnovers, forced 4 sacks, and made continuous plays.

But when Aman Anand's Special Teams gave up yet another touchdown error from a 1st quarter blocked punt, combined with a few poor kickoffs out of bounds, punter Grant Chadwick letting off a 25 yard punt under duress once again, and of course, a 14-0 1st quarter deficit, things started to look grim.

But it was interim offensive coordinator Alex Atkins throwing in the kitchen sink, calling all the trick plays, and starting a new quarterback (Michael Van Buren) that proved to be the difference in this game, helping LSU's defense gut out a hard knocks win.

Michael Van Buren's (mostly) precise vertical passing produced 221 yards, 21 completions (from 31 attempts), no turnovers, and 1 TD pass for Bauer Sharp, while receiver Zavion Thomas ended with 80 yards, running back Caden Durham racked up 99 total yards & a key rushing score to ignite the comeback, freshman Harlem Berry added a crucial 76 from scrimmage, as kicker Damian Ramos booted 3 clutch field goals at the end of the 1st half.

For the first time in what feels like an eternity, LSU's offense and special teams backed up the courageous efforts of their defense, even rising to the challenge today when the Tigers began to miss tackles and allow big plays during the 2nd half.

Thanks to Michael Van Buren's play-extending abilities, as well as the Tigers' 155 overall rushing yards, LSU's offense were able to gain control, running 16 further plays & possessing the ball for 9 more minutes than the Razorbacks....a big deal in this football game and a formula for victory LSU should've been applying all season long.

But once again, Saturday morning's victory was all about Blake Baker's defense.

Aside from two lazy touchdown drives complete with numerous missed tackles, one allowed in each half, (Baker's defense surrendering 175 rushing yards), LSU's defenders made plays, producing a game-turning stop on 4th and goal (set up by an airborne Jacobian Guillory), an early fumble recovery (Jack Pyburn), 4 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, superstar showings & interceptions by Harold Perkins and Mansoor Delane, alongside gritty contributions from Jacobian Guillory, AJ Haulcy, Dashawn Spears, and the aforementioned Pyburn.

Due to LSU's offensive control (both via the clock and on the ground), for the first time in 2025, the Tigers dictated terms to their opponents, and pulled out their 6th win of a trying, topsy turvy campaign.

Assuming control of the program after Brian Kelly's firing, Head Coach Frank Wilson now has LSU fighting like Tigers....only allowing a single touchdown last week in a narrow defeat @ Alabama (while most predicted a blowout loss) & now his first win as the man at the helm of LSU....a school he's always served loyally....

Now, Coach Wilson has the opportunity to royally enjoy the fruits of his labors.

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By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

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