The Razorbacks have made significant strides in Bielema’s second year with the program, and their improved play was on display in an impressive 17-0 victory over No. 17 LSU at home Saturday night. The win marked Arkansas’ first shutout since Sept. 6, 2006.
That elusive conference victory has been in the Hogs’ grasps many times this season. Three of the team’s five losses were by just one possession against Top 10 teams, and the Hogs finally got over the hump Saturday night in the Battle for the Golden Boot.
The Arkansas defense wreaked havoc for Anthony Jennings and the LSU offense all night. In all, the Tigers could muster only 123 yards of total offense. Jennings was limited to 12-of-22 passing and only 87 yards while the Tigers bevy of running backs was shut down for 36 yards on 32 carries.
The Arkansas offense wasn’t flashy, but it did just enough to get the job done.
A 32-yard Adam McFain field goal accounted for the only points of the first quarter for the Hogs. A quarter later, a methodical 15-play, 60-yard drive allowed Arkansas to open up a 10-0 lead. That drive culminated third-and-goal one-yard touchdown run by Jonathan Williams (18 carries, 55 yards, TD).
LSU had a chance to get on the board, but Colby Delahoussaye missed a 27-yard chip shot midway through the second quarter.
The defensive struggle continued in the second half as Delahoussaye missed another field goal for the Tigers, this time from 47 yards. Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen (16-of-27, 169 yards) then led the game-clinching touchdown drive for the Hogs in the fourth, which ended on a 5-yard Alex Collins (16 carries, 46 yards, TD) touchdown run with 11:03 to go.
The win is big for Arkansas (5-5) on its quest for bowl eligibility. With two games left on the schedule at home against Ole Miss and at SEC East leading Missouri, Bielema’s squad will have to pull off another upset to reach postseason play.
LSU drops to 7-4 with the loss, its second straight. This is only the second time a Les Miles-coached LSU team has lost back-to-back games. The Tigers will look to get on track in its final game of the season – a Thursday night showdown at Texas A&M.
For more Arkansas news, HawgSports.com. For more LSU news, visit TigerBait.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Bret Bielema earns first SEC win Arkansas' 17-0 shutout of LSU
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