LSU defeats Arkansas 33-30 in OT.

 LSU is thankful for a few things this holiday season.

-Caught Arkansas QB Ryan Mallet had on a bad day

-Trindon Holliday embracing his larger role Saturday

-Josh Jasper

1. Ryan Mallet, believe it or not, led the SEC entering Saturday, in passing yards, pass yards per attempt, and TD passes. Mallet had a 29-7 TD-INT ratio, he also completed 57% of his passes, which is pretty good considering his 9.3 pass yards per attempt. That said, he struggled big time on Saturday going 17-39 with a TD and interception. LSU got decent pressures on Mallet, forcing three sacks, but they didn’t dominate as much as Mallet struggled. He did make a big TD pass on 4th and 9 with 1:25 left in the game to put Arkansas up by three.

2. Trindon Holliday, despite a punt fumble, played a one of his best games ever at LSU. The Tigers didn’t have Charles Scott or Keiland Williams at their disposal, so Holliday had to step up. Holliday and Stevan Ridley split carries as running backs in this game, a role uncommon for Holliday. He entered this game with 14 carries on the season and he gained 57 yards on nine carries with a long of 19. Holliday was the recipient of option runs by Jordan Jefferson as well as traditional running plays. The first TD pass by Jefferson was set up by big runs from Ridley and Holliday on that drive. Finally, Holliday returned a punt for a TD. This was a great finale for Holliday’s career at LSU.

3. Josh Jasper kicked field goals of 47, 47, 41 and 36 yards Saturday. One came in the final ten seconds of the game and the other in overtime. That improves him to 16/19 on the season, including 15/17 from 30 yards and longer, 6/8 from 40 yards or longer including two good kicks from 50+yards. I can’t say enough about the job he has done this year as field goal kicker, make-shift punter, kickoffs,  and not to mention a great onside kick. LSU been inconsistent on offense most of the season, and their defense has been strong for the most part, but his kicking game has been dead-on all year.

LSU took a lot of criticism for last week’s clock management issues and they wanted nothing more than a win to go into the bowl season. With an Ole Miss loss Saturday, that should put LSU as the #3 team in the SEC and theoretically a better bowl game.

LSU and Arkansas had another close battle for the fifth straight year, including the last two in Baton Rouge to go to overtime. This was a sloppy game with neither team pulling away in this game, but LSU squeaked out the win on Senior Day.

Notable Seniors includes: Brandon LaFell, Keiland Williams, Richard Dickson, Harry Coleman, R.J. Jackson, Chris Hawkins, Charles Scott, Danny McCray, Jacob Cutrera, Ciron Black, Rahim Alem, Charles Alexander and Al Woods.

Next game: TBD, although I’m pulling for the Capital One Bowl, granted the last appearance didn’t go too well.