Why Arkansas won
The Razorbacks played their best game defensively in years. Arkansas pressured LSU quarterback Anthony Jennings the entire game, forced a turnover in crunch time and benefitted from an off-night by the Tigers' field goal kicker. The Razorbacks had come close to this kind of win multiple times this season, but didn't get all the breaks until tonight.
Why LSU lost
The Tigers looked hungover from the loss to Alabama the week before. LSU's offense looked lost the entire game and its defense couldn't make the momentum-shifting play.
Offensive Player of the Game
Jonathan Williams rushed 18 times for 55 yards and a touchdown, getting hard yards at times the Razorbacks needed them throughout the game. Williams' final run resulted in a first down in the final minute, allowing Arkansas to take a knee and run out the clock.
Defensive Player of the Game
Martrell Spaight continued a season-long trend of solid performances, recording 10 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Spaight was one of several Razorbacks who had great games. Deatrich Wise Jr. had 1.5 sacks and Jared Collins had 7 tackles and 4 pass break-ups.
Play of the Game
As mundane as it seemed at the time, Colby Delahoussaye's missed 27-yard field goal in the closing minutes of the first half was big. The field goal would have cut Arkansas' lead to 10-3 at halftime, but instead it sailed wide right. The Razorbacks' sideline erupted after the miss and Arkansas had momentum for the rest of the game.
Finally breaking through
Part of the reason Arkansas had lost 17 straight conference games entering Saturday's contest was because of the level of the Razorbacks' competition.
LSU was the first non-top 10 team Arkansas played in the SEC this year and that wouldn't have been the case had the Tigers been able to hold on against Alabama last week.
The Razorbacks had not defeated a ranked team since beating Kansas State in the 2012 Cotton Bowl. Arkansas hadn't defeated a ranked team in conference play since South Carolina in 2011.
In all, the Razorbacks had lost 14 straight games against ranked teams prior to Saturday. Nine of those teams were ranked in the top 10 at the time of the game.
It's conceivable all of Arkansas' SEC opponents will be ranked at the time of their game this season. Ole Miss is ranked No. 10 and Missouri is likely to move back into the top 25 following a win over Texas A&M tonight.
The Razorbacks have never played eight ranked conference opponents in one season. In the preseason, it was believed Arkansas would play the most difficult schedule in the nation in 2014 and that is coming to fruition.
Better off a Bye
Despite Alabama and LSU being the opponents, Arkansas' defense has played its two best games this season coming off bye weeks.
The Razorbacks held Alabama to 227 yards of total offense in a 14-13 loss on Oct. 11. In that game, the Crimson Tide converted only 4 of 15 third downs and Heisman hopeful receiver Amari Cooper was held to two receptions for 22 yards.
Arkansas was even more impressive against LSU, holding the Tigers to 123 yards of total offense. Thanks in large part to four sacks and a bad snap, the Razorbacks limited LSU to 36 yards on 32 carries.
The Tigers lost 65 yards on negative run plays. LSU's longest offensive play totaled 14 yards.
Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith has done a wonderful job turning around the Razorbacks' defense this season.
Gaines Ejected
Arkansas safety Rohan Gaines was ejected after being penalized for targeting in the third quarter.
Gaines' penalty came on a third down play in which LSU quarterback Anthony Jennings overthrew receiver Travin Dural. But Gaines hit Dural in the head with his forearm, drawing a flag and the ire of Arkansas fans.
The penalty and ejection were upheld upon review by referee Marc Curles. Because the penalty occurred in the second half, Gaines, a senior starter, won't be eligible to play in the first half of next week's game against Ole Miss.
Gaines is the second Arkansas player to be ejected because of the targeting penalty this season. Linebacker Braylon Mitchell was called for the penalty in a game against Georgia last month.
By the Numbers
70,165 - Attendance at Razorback Stadium
126 - Receiving yards by the Razorbacks' tight ends and running backs
109 - Games between Arkansas' last shutout and the one Saturday
59 - Percent of third downs converted by the Razorbacks
33 - Degrees at kickoff - the coldest temperature for an Arkansas home game since 1995
21 - Combined rushing touchdowns for Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins this season
7 - Times the Razorbacks have won the Golden Boot Trophy since its inception in 1996
5 - Consecutive SEC games a tight end has led Arkansas in receiving yards
2 - Career missed field goals by LSU's Colby Delahoussaye prior to missing two attempts Saturday