QB = B Jefferson was 18 of 29 for 209 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int, 127.1 QB Rating. He also had a 48 yard TD run. 257 total yards is a season high for an LSU QB. You could argue the first two offensive drives were stalled by silly 5 yard penalties. After that, Brad Wing never had to punt again. The interception is the difference between an A and a B grade. Hopefully he throws that ball away next time. RB = A- A combined 28 carries for 234 yards and 2 TDs. Kenny Hilliard has suddenly risen to the top of the RB rotation, and rightfully so. The fumble for 6 points was huge early on and was the first big fumble we've had all year long. WR = A You'll be pleasantly surprised to know Reuben Randle had a quiet day of 9 catches for 135 yards. A season high of 15 catches by this crew. The blocking on the edges were just magnificent once again. It's becoming one of the favorite things I love to look for. TE = B Two catches on the night, Clement almost pulled in a big one but was just off his fingertips. More solid edge blocking, as usual. O-line = A- We had issues protecting Jefferson in the pocket early on and had to roll him out a bunch. Run blocking became dominant as LSU took control of the game early in the 4th quarter. Overall Offense = A- A total of 495 yards and 34 points scored against a defense that was supposedly at full strength and playing their best ball of the year. So much for that. D-line = A Gave the Arkansas O-line fits for most of the game. Stopped any run game in it's tracks (52 yards), forcing Wilson to put the game on his back. He wasn't up to the task. LB = B+ Decent outing for the linebackers again. Did well against the run. Baker got flagged for the same hit Arkansas put on Jefferson (no flag there). It seemed to jar Wilson from that point forward. So the 15 yards were worth it, even if it was a questionable call. DB = B+ The downside, 10 catches for 172 yards and 1 TD vs the secondary. But given that Arkansas probably boasts the best overall set of receivers from 1 to 4 in the country, it was not a bad night. One catch was 60 yards YAC and caused by a missed tackle. So even those stats were skewed by one poor play. The great news, the secondary caused 3 huge turnovers that totally changed the complexion of the game. Overall Defense = A- Turned Arkansas into a one dimensional team by limiting the run. Lots of pressure on Wilson for most of the game helped the LSU secondary deal with the talented receivers Arkansas was offering up. The unit gave up only 10 points to a team that was averaging over 39, as well as only 256 total yards. Special Teams = A+ Arkansas' vaunted return game was kept at bay (6 kick returns, 33 yards, no punt return yards). Mathieu made the biggest play of the game, returning a punt 92 yards and got the LSU crowd back into the game and it was pretty much all downhill from there for Arkansas. The pooch kick was actually brilliant and if not for a great bounce and an alert Arkansas player, LSU would have recovered it. Coaching = A+ Down 14-0, this team showed the personality of the head coach. They did not flinch. Have a great day!
100% agree on these grades. I think this might have been LSU's best game overall this year against a non cupcake. Every phase was working. I'm especially happy that we threw the ball a good bit. 12-0 baby!
i dont get all the hilliard love. he performed but he's a step slow. with those holes i think blue would have taken the most advantage. any guess as to why blue got no touches?
He hurt himself last week. Getting rest. Might not play next week either, like Reid. Hilliard is the man. He might be a step slow but he makes up for it in size and strength. Hilliard is going to be a legend. Get used to him now.
I think Blue got hurt last week and they were holding him out for precautionary measures. I so agree about the blocking on the edges. Shep had a beautiful block to spring Jefferson on the big run.
Yeah, 27 only leads SEC freshmen in TDs, despite having limited touches. I'm in the "unimpressed" camp. :rolleye33:
