No. 7 LSU used a monster effort from freshman linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. to survive and advance 13-10 on the road against Arkansas on Saturday afternoon. Perkins took over the game with a program record four sacks in a single game, adding a batted pass and forced fumble on Arkansas quarterback Cade Fortin to clinch the game in the fourth quarter.
Perkins’ effort was part of an outstanding defensive effort from LSU, which held Arkansas to under 250 total yards and 3 yards per carry. Razorbacks starting quarterback KJ Jefferson missed the game with an injury, and backup Malik Hornsby was ultimately benched after a poor outing in his place. Fortin, the third-string signal caller, led Arkansas’ lone touchdown drive, but it wasn’t enough in a close victory for LSU.
Arkansas also had a strong day defensively, holding LSU QB Jayden Daniels to just 86 yards on 8 of 15 passing. The Hogs sacked Daniels seven times and forced both a fumble and an interception in the first quarter. However, LSU managed to pull off a controversial third-down conversion with a passing play — that looked identical to its game-winning 2-point conversion against Alabama — to run down most of the clock in the fourth quarter.
Fortin had one last drive to try and tie the game, throwing a pair of nice passes to start the drive. However, Perkins stepped up again and knocked the ball out of Fortin’s hands as he drew it back. The loose ball was recovered by the LSU defense, allowing the Tigers to run out the clock for a fourth straight victory.
With the win, LSU (8-2, 6-1 SEC) maintains control of the SEC West while eliminating Alabama from backdooring its way into the game. The Tigers can officially clinch a spot in the SEC Championship Game if No. 9 Bama beats No. 11 Ole Miss on Saturday afternoon. Otherwise, LSU just needs to pull off a win over struggling Texas A&M in the final week.
Stay tuned to CBS Sports for updates, highlights and takeaways from LSU at Arkansas.