Report Card: Evaluating Arkansas Football’s 34-10 loss to LSU

Tom Murphy’s grades from Arkansas football’s 34-10 loss to LSU.

Felony – 68 (D)

Three turnovers – Taylen Green’s tip-off interception and fumbles by Rashod Dubinion and Isaiah Sategna – were awesome and 10 points just isn’t enough. The unit moved the ball well through the air most of the game, although three sacks hurt in the second half. Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino clearly thought the airway was the best way to go – and that seemed exactly right – but the running game was really hampered.

Defense – 73 (C)

Perhaps the Razorbacks’ worst tackling play of the season. LSU was simply more physical and its backs ran through contact, highlighted by Caden Durham’s early 22-yard touchdown. The pass rush got closer but couldn’t contain Garrett Nussmeier, and a few turnover-bait passes were tipped but not saved. LSU’s third down conversion just felt like slow torture.

Special Teams – 75 (C)

Devin Bale has the leg of Max Fletcher in every way and can aim much better inside the 10-yard line, as evidenced by his check-up punt that failed at the 2-yard line. He also had a booming 58-yard punt. Matthew Shipley’s career-winning 51-yard field goal was great, but he missed from 42 yards, so the inconsistency in placekicking continues. Another game with no significant return.

Coaching – 72 (C)

Travis Williams and Marcus Woodson obviously didn’t want to let Garrett Nussmeier and the talented Tiger wideouts make the over-the-top throws like they did last season, so LSU was quite content to throw 6- to 10-yard strikes, which was equivalent to death by 1,000 cuts. They switched decisions and had better success in the second half. The inability to develop a running game on offense proved to be a disadvantage.