Arkansas vs. LSU: Game Grades, Analysis for Razorbacks and Tigers

The Arkansas Razorbacks (6-4, 4-2) upset the No. 9 LSU Tigers (7-2, 4-2) 31-14 on Saturday night in Baton Rouge.

Behind 299 yards rushing, the Razorbacks dominated the Tigers from start to finish. Arkansas also held LSU star tailback Leonard Fournette to less than 100 yards and sacked Tigers quarterback Brandon Harris five times. 

Positional Unit	First-Half Grade	Second-Half Grade
Pass Offense	B+	C+
Run Offense	A	A
Pass Defense	B+	B+
Run Defense	A	B
Special Teams	B	B
Coaching	A	A

Pass Offense: Brandon Allen was efficient, completing several big throws on third down to keep scoring drives alive. His only turnover was a desperation fourth-down attempt in the end zone. 

Run Offense: Alex Collins ran for 141 yards, and Kody Walker chipped in with 88 more. Overall, the Razorbacks rushed for 299 yards and three touchdowns. It was a commanding performance by the Hogs. 

Pass Defense: Arkansas pressured Harris all night. The Razorbacks also forced turnovers, including a forced fumble of Harris deep in LSU territory that gave them a 21-0 lead late in the second quarter. 

Run Defense: Fournette ran for 91 yards, but overall the Tigers recorded just 59 yards on the ground thanks to all of the sacks. Fournette didn't break any long runs, and Harris was not a factor in the running game. 

Special Teams: The Hogs hit their lone field-goal attempt of the night, averaged 43 yards per punt and had a big kick return that set up a field goal after LSU had cut the score to 21-14. 

Coaching: Offensive coordinator Dan Enos called a brilliant game. He kept LSU guessing with some misdirection but ran right down LSU's throat behind Arkansas' mammoth offensive line. Head coach Bret Bielema clearly has this team headed in the right direction.  

Positional Unit	First-Half Grade	Second-Half Grade
Pass Offense	C+	B-
Run Offense	D+	C+
Pass Defense	B-	B
Run Defense	F	F
Special Teams	B-	B
Coaching	C-	C

Pass Offense: Harris had a good night if you go strictly by the numbers. He also made some impressive throws. However, he had a few potential interceptions dropped and at times held onto the ball too long. Malachi Dupre had a terrific game with eight receptions and a score. 

Run Offense: Fournette had a solid game. He didn't bust any long, highlight-reel runs, but he ran hard and fast and often made something out of nothing. He just needed more opportunities. Overall, the Tigers didn't get enough out of their running game. 

Pass Defense: The Tigers missed a tackle that allowed Dominique Reed to score from 52 yards out for the game's first score. LSU didn't get enough pressure on Allen. The one turnover came on a fourth-down pass into the end zone. 

Run Defense: After allowing an average of 95 yards per game during the first eight weeks of the season, the Tigers allowed 250 yards last week and 299 yards against Arkansas. The Razorbacks consistently pushed LSU's defensive line off the line of scrimmage. This unit is trending in the wrong direction. 

Special Teams: Punter Jamie Keehn averaged 44 yards per attempt. Derrius Guice had solid kick returns, one of which set up a touchdown. 

Coaching: The coaching staff did not do anything at all to slow down Arkansas' running game. The offensive staff went away from Fournette a little too soon, as the game was still close early in the fourth quarter.