Field Level Media
19 Sep 2023, 10:05 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports)
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels and receiver Malik Nabers were nearly perfect in the SEC opener.
Arkansas is trying to fix a few imperfections as it prepares to face the No. 12 Tigers (2-1, 1-0) in the Razorbacks' conference opener Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La.
Daniels set a school record for pass completion percentage (25 or more attempts) when he completed 30 of 34 passes (88.2 percent) for 361 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-14 win at Mississippi State last Saturday.
Nabers caught both of Daniels' touchdown passes and finished with 13 catches for 239 yards. He and Daniels shared the SEC Offensive Player of the Week award.
"The play of Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers was certainly elite," LSU head coach Brian Kelly said.
Daniels also rushed for 64 yards and two touchdowns before leaving the game early in the fourth quarter.
"He's been outstanding," Kelly said. "His ability to win the game with his feet and throw the ball, he was as good as anyone in the country."
The Tigers' defense, which couldn't slow down Florida State in a season-opening loss and had a slow start against FCS opponent Grambling a week later, was much improved.
The unit limited Mississippi State to 94 rushing yards and sacked Will Rogers four times.
"We did the things you need to do in the SEC," Kelly said. "(Overall) you've got to play with a sense of urgency and an edge. They get off to a fast start and played with great enthusiasm."
The Razorbacks (2-1) led visiting BYU 31-21 early in the third quarter last week, but got outscored 17-0 the rest of the way.
The Cougars' surge started shortly after they stopped Arkansas on a fourth-and-1 midway through the fourth quarter.
The Razorbacks, who allowed only 281 yards, had trouble protecting quarterback KJ Jefferson and they were penalized 14 times for 125 yards. While trying to drive for the tying touchdown on their final possession they were called for six penalties, though two were declined.
"It's hard to win any game when you have 14 penalties," Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman said. "We had too many missed assignments. You're going to have some missed assignments in the game. I think we had more than what we should have, but it's the penalties that are killing drives and keeping (opponents') drives alive. We've got to figure out how to get the penalty situation (fixed)."
BYU sacked Jefferson four times.
"The offensive line just has to play more consistent," Pittman said. "We probably need to move the pocket a little bit more. We can't just stand back there.
"Right now it seems like everything that we're doing offensively seems hard. It doesn't seem like there's anything that's coming easy to us."
Jefferson was injured and did not play in the Razorbacks' 13-10 home loss against LSU last season.
Tigers star linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. emerged in that game, finishing with eight tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles (the second of which clinched the victory), one pass break up and one quarterback hurry despite playing with the flu.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Orlando Echo news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Orlando Echo.
More InformationAs it did last year, the 2023 United Nations General Assembly has been debating what role the United Nations and ...
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana: Authorities said that Greg Lawson, who fled his 1991 trial in Louisiana for attempted murder 32 years ...
OTTAWA, Canada: During a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Canada's capital, Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ...
BEIJING, China: A respected Uyghur scholar, known for her extensive work in studying Uyghur folklore and traditions, has been sentenced ...
BEIJING, China: Local authorities said a fire at the Shanjiaoshu coal mine in Guizhou province, southern China, killed 16 people ...
MADISON, Wisconsin: Last week, five flamingos were seen along a Lake Michigan beach in Wisconsin, attracting a large crowd of ...
GAINESVILLE, Florida: Local police report stopping children, ages 10 and 11, who had driven their family car 200 miles, in ...
BURBANK, California: A note by Needham media analyst Laura Martin released this week revealed that CEO Bob Iger told investors ...
(Photo credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports) Lionel Messi will not play when Inter Miami attempt to win their second major ...
(Photo credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports) The Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos are tied for the fewest victories in the ...
(Photo credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports) Pete Alonso had four hits, including a two-run homer, and scored a career-high four ...
(Photo credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports) The Colorado Rockies placed right-handers Daniel Bard (right flexor strain) and Ryan Feltner (right ...