Both LSU and Arkansas have had disappointing seasons. Both are looking for new coaches. And both are hoping to end the year on at least a semi-positive note.
That’s the set-up for Saturday’s unique matchup in Tiger Stadium, which was given the rare kickoff time of 11:45 a.m. (SEC Network). The Razorbacks — under former head coach turned interim coach Bobby Petrino — are still winless in SEC play. But they have one of the most productive offenses in the country. Their quarterback is Taylen Green, a 6-foot-6, 224-pound fifth-year senior who can run. He’s started 44 career games.
LSU’s presumptive starter, on the other hand, is making his first start of the season.
On Thursday, interim coach Frank Wilson said that Garrett Nussmeier aggravated his abdominal injury in practice. LSU listed him as probable to play on Thursday, then downgraded him to questionable on Friday, suggesting that he’s trending toward sitting out for the first time this year.
Who’s next up? Michael Van Buren, the Mississippi State transfer who’s backed up Nussmeier all season.
Follow along here for live updates and analysis from LSU’s matchup with Arkansas.
First Quarter
12:23 p.m. — Arkansas is up 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.
12:17 p.m. — Arkansas takes a 14-0 lead with Taylen Green’s 11-yard touchdown rush up the middle. The Razorbacks have 101 yards on 17 plays.
12:06 p.m. — LSU went three and out again. Then Grant Chadwick gave Arkansas the ball near midfield with a bad punt. Van Buren has completed only one of his first four passes. Arkansas is up 7-0, and now its offense is in the red zone.
11:54 a.m. — LSU went three and out on its first drive. Then Arkansas defensive back Caleb Wooden blocked the punt and returned it for a touchdown. Razorbacks take a 7-0 lead.
Bad start for the Tigers, to say the least.
11:51 a.m. — Arkansas fumbled a toss to a running back, and Jack Pyburn recovered at the LSU 26-yard line. Big break for the Tigers, who had allowed the Razorbacks to march 49 yards on six plays before that miscue.
11:42 a.m. — A change at right tackle for LSU. Redshirt freshman Ory Williams is announced as the starter in place of Weston Davis, another redshirt freshman who started the first nine games of the season. The Tigers made the switch during their loss to Alabama last week, and now it’s carried over into their game against Arkansas.
Pregame Updates
11:13 a.m. — LSU quarterback Colin Hurley did not travel to Alabama last week, and now he’s not on the field with the rest of the Tigers for pregame warm-ups. LSU now appears to have only one scholarship quarterback active for today’s game: Michael Van Buren. Ju’Juan Johnson is warming up with the running backs, but he could play quarterback in a pinch.
According to an LSU spokesperson, Hurley is away from the team for personal reasons.
10:40 a.m. — Linebacker Whit Weeks and defensive tackle Ahmad Breaux are also out today. Weeks will now miss four straight games with a bone bruise in his ankle.
10:15 a.m. — Good morning from Tiger Stadium. Garrett Nussmeier is not warming up. He’s dressed in sweats instead, which means that Michael Van Buren will make his first start of the season. Nussmeier has battled an abdominal strain all year, and because it flared up on him again in practice on Thursday, it will now prevent him from playing for the first time this season.
