Gameday Extra

11.12.2022 KEYS TO VICTORY MATT JONES & SCOTTIE BORDELON WHOLEHOGSPORTS.COM Arkansas has questions at quarterback and LSU brings one of the hottest signal callers in the SEC to Reynolds Razorback Stadium today. Will KJ Jefferson play? If he does play, will he be more effective than a week ago when he looked sluggish after limited practice reps prior to a game against Liberty? So often over the past two years, as Jefferson has gone, so have the Razorbacks. Jefferson is a team captain and an on-field leader whose play has the potential to elevate those around him. That wasn't the case for four quarters against Liberty. Jefferson completed 23 of 37 passes for 284 yards and 2 touchdowns, but most of that production came in crunch time after the Flames took a 21-5 lead to the fourth quarter. Jefferson's fourth-quarter play should be commended, but his play the first three quarters shouldn't be overlooked. He threw two interceptions — including one on a pass that was deflected by his intended receiver, tight end Trey Knox — and did not look sharp on the zone-read option plays that have largely been a specialty. Arkansas coaches stayed with Jefferson despite his struggles. Head coach Sam Pittman said after the game that he was assured by offensive coordinator Kendal Briles that Jefferson would get going. As Jefferson's status remains iffy for this week, Pittman said this week that he is confident in back-up quarterback Malik Hornsby. When Jefferson missed the Mississippi State game in October, Cade Fortin got the start over Hornsby, but Hornsby played the majority of the game. "That's still kind of a fluid situation," Pittman said. "I will say this, that Malik Hornsby's had a really good week of practice. The team is confident in him. "So either way, whatever happens, whether we play KJ or whether we play Malik, we feel like we'll have a guy that can go back there that the team believes in that can execute our game plan. But there hasn't been a whole lot of change from last week to this week except KJ has thrown a little bit more than what he did last week." Hornsby completed 8 of 17 passes for 234 yards and 1 touchdown, and was intercepted twice after halftime. He also rushed for 114 yards in the Razorbacks' 40-17 loss. LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels does not have eye- popping passing stats. He has completed 69.8% of his passes and thrown for 1,994 yards, 14 touchdowns and 1 interception. The rushing stats — 619 yards, 10 touchdowns, 4.7 yards per carry — make him dynamic. He rushed for 121 yards and 3 touchdowns during the Tigers' 45-20 victory over Ole Miss on Oct. 22, and rushed for 95 yards and 1 touchdown last week against Alabama. Daniels has had the benefit of playing most of his games at home and in good weather, neither of which will be the case at Arkansas. Stats from his two road starts are worth a look: 8-for-20 passing for 80 yards, plus 59 rushing yards and 1 touchdown at Auburn, and 23-for-32 passing for 349 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus 44 yards and 3 touchdowns rushing at Florida. Will this be the Daniels that LSU had at Auburn or Florida? Or somewhere in between? Daniels' skillset reminds of Arkansas' 49-26 loss to Alabama earlier this year in Fayetteville. He is not as equipped in the pass game as Bryce Young, but he takes better care of the ball. His running ability is comparable to Jalen Milroe, whose 77- yard run in the fourth quarter was the backbreaker for the Razorbacks after Young left the game with a shoulder injury. Much like Jefferson is to Arkansas, Daniels is the straw that stirs the drink for LSU. The Razorbacks' defense has taken some positive steps since the bye week, but they have not seen an offense this capable in several weeks. TRANSFERS It wasn't a trade, but Arkansas and LSU made a two-for-two swap during the offseason. Louisiana-born defensive backs Joe Foucha and Greg Brooks transferred away from their starting roles with the Razorbacks. Arkansas added former LSU starting cornerback Dwight McGlothern and defensive end Landon Jackson. All four players have made game-changing plays this year. McGlothern's 51-yard interception return against Cincinnati helped set up a touchdown during a 31-24 victory, and Arkansas took control in a 41-27 win at Auburn after Jackson blocked a field goal to set up a score. Foucha and Brooks have both had what were essentially game-clinching interceptions for the Tigers this year — Brooks at Auburn and Foucha at home against Ole Miss. This is a big game for all four players, who have become key pieces to their defense. Will the emotion of playing old teammates have any bearing? It's also worth watching whether the Arkansas coaching staff is able to exploit any tendencies learned about Brooks or Foucha during their years in Fayetteville. A mostly new coaching staff at LSU might not possess the same knowledge about the former Tigers who are now at Arkansas. McGlothern might draw the toughest assignment for any Arkansas defender Saturday, potentially to be matched against LSU receiver Kayshon Boutte. There is some thought the 6-foot, 205-pound receiver might be the first player at his position to be selected in next year's NFL Draft. ELEMENTS It seems the nasty weather usually arrives just in time for LSU's trip to Fayetteville every other year. The National Weather Service forecast calls for a high of 43 degrees on Saturday. With an 11 a.m. kickoff, the game could potentially be one of the 10 coldest on record for the Razorbacks. Temperatures are recorded at kickoff. Two of the 10-coldest games for Arkansas are matchups against LSU — the only games the Razorbacks have won over the Tigers in Fayetteville. It was 31 degrees at the start of Arkansas' 30-6 victory in 1992, and 33 degrees when the Razorbacks snapped a 17- game SEC losing streak with a 17-0 victory in 2014. There has long been thought here that LSU — which predominantly recruits from a warmer climate near the Gulf of Mexico — does not play as well in cold weather. That isn't to say the Tigers won't be able to handle the conditions, but it can be more difficult to get yourself going in the cold. To adapt a line from former Arkansas receiver Drew Morgan, you have to bring your own juice. The cold can also have an effect on the passing game. Quarterbacks' hands are colder and the ball becomes harder to catch. There is some thought that teams that are able to run the ball are built for November. Arkansas struggled last week, but is still No. 2 in the SEC with 233.3 yards per game. LSU ranks seventh in that category at 183.4. Both teams are middle of the pack in the SEC in rush defense — Arkansas sixth at 140.6 yards per game, and LSU seventh at 141.4. If the cold throws off the passing game, which team can establish the run best? And which team can stop it? QBS WILL PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN TODAY'S OUTCOME See KEYS, Page 4 KJ Jefferson played through an injury against Liberty last week and his status for this week's game is questionable. 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