LSU Tigers find their key to success without leaning on Garrett Nussmeier in huge SEC win over Arkansas
The LSU Tigers' offense has been a nearly unstoppable force since their Week 1 loss to USC. Now that they've demolished Arkansas 34-10 LSU has logged six straight games with at least 29 points scored. The majority of that offensive success has come through the air this season as Garrett Nussmeier led all SEC passers […]
The LSU Tigers' offense has been a nearly unstoppable force since their Week 1 loss to USC. Now that they've demolished Arkansas 34-10 LSU has logged six straight games with at least 29 points scored. The majority of that offensive success has come through the air this season as Garrett Nussmeier led all SEC passers with 18 passing touchdowns and nearly 2000 yards prior to Week 8. But what would happen if a team could stop the LSU Tigers' passing attack?
The Arkansas Razorbacks helped LSU answer that question on Saturday night.
Sam Pittman's Arkansas squad had won three of their last four games, including a win over the Top 10-ranked Tennessee Vols and had been consistently shutting down pass-happy offenses. They did it again early on against LSU, but it didn't matter because the Tigers have found their key to success without having to lean on Garrett Nussmeier.
True freshman running Caden Durham has emerged as the LSU Tigers' answer on offense that they can rely on when they need a spark. Against Arkansas he logged 22 total touches for over 100 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. Durham is looking truly special and has become the key to offensive success and balance for LSU.
Three of LSU's first four plays against Arkansas flowed through Caden Durham. First snap, seven-yard catch. Second snap, four-yard carry. Fourth snap, six-yard run. And then to top it all off on the team's opening drive Caden Durham ran in the first touchdown of the game on an impressive 22-yard scamper that showed off his speed.
After that first dominant drive from Caden Durham, Arkansas adjusted, playing more to defend the run. But then Nussmeier and his dynamic trio of wide receivers in Kyren Lacy, CJ Daniels, and Aaron Anderson made Arkansas pay on the next drive. The Razorbacks changed their approach again.
For the next few quarters Arkansas' committed to containing the passing game, playing conservative defensive shells to force most passes underneath, and it worked in terms of limiting Garrett Nussmeier. But then Caden Durham scored his second touchdown of the night immediately following a turnover by Arkansas and LSU took firm control of the game.
As clock continued to churn into the fourth quarter Garrett Nussmeier and the LSU passing attack had been thoroughly contained, logging just over 200 passing yards and zero touchdowns. It didn't matter. The ground game, led by true freshman Caden Durham continued to dominate, even when the Razorbacks knew it was coming.
Durham tallied carries of 9, 4, 13, and 9 yards on his final huge drive before punching in his third score of the night, putting the easy SEC victory over Arkansas to bed.
Durham finished the night with 21 carries for 101 rushing yards and one reception for seven yards. He was the reason LSU won the game easily, not the passing game and Garrett Nussmeier.
Arkansas completely limited LSU's passing attack all night, allowing just one passing play of more than 18 yards. They did everything right, and still gave up 34 points.
Durham now has 530 yards from scrimmage in just six games played for the young star running back, putting him on pace to nearly match Leonard Fournette's wildly impressive 89.3 yards per game pace from back in 2014.
If LSU head coach Brian Kelly continues to find success with their not-so-secret weapon in Caden Durham on top of Garrett Nussmeier stretching the field with his arm the Tigers are going to be nearly impossible to stop as they continue their bid towards the first ever 12-Team College Football Playoff.
LSU starting to become popular pick to make College Football Playoff
Things are looking great for the Tigers
We'll be back with more LSU Tigers coverage here at A to Z Sports all season long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
