LSU’s hot start puts Razorbacks behind in the first half

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For all the optimism after a bye week, it didn’t take long for a reality check to bring Arkansas back down to earth. The Razorbacks trailed LSU 16-7 at halftime.

The Razorbacks were thoroughly dismantled early in all three phases of the game. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier controlled LSU’s offense with surgical precision, taking advantage of the Hogs’ soft coverage. Nussmeier finished the first half 13 of 23 for 124 yards. 104 of those yards came in the first quarter.

Arkansas was the second-best team for most of the first half and struggled to keep LSU’s offense off the field. The Tigers made 38 plays in the first half, the Hogs 25. However, Arkansas got stronger in the red zone, holding LSU to three Damian Ramos field goals to stay within striking distance.

However, Arkansas was unable to achieve similar success in the kicking game; Matthew Shipley, making his first start in a Razorback uniform, missed a 42-yarder in the first quarter. The Razorbacks now have 8 of 14 field goals this season.

The offense was able to move the ball down the field, but a costly fumble by running back Rashod Dubinion at the end of the first quarter gave LSU one of its three field goals. Trailing 13-0, the Razorbacks appeared to be in grave danger of letting go of the rope.

However, Taylen Green led the Hogs down the field with a nine-play, 75-yard drive and capped it off with a 25-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone. Although he led the team with 38 catches before the game, it was his first touchdown of the season.

Despite playing from behind the entire first half, Devin Bale executed a pearlescent punt to keep the Tigers inside their five-yard line and prevent the Tigers from doing any more damage in the first half.

The Razorbacks will look to take the lead after halftime and get the ball to start the second half.

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