Michael Van Buren Jr. made his first start of the season and threw a game-winning touchdown pass midway through the fourth quarter as LSU defeated Arkansas 23-22 on Saturday in Baton Rouge, La.
Van Buren, who started eight games for Mississippi State last season before transferring, filled in for Garrett Nussmeier (abdominal strain) and passed for 221 yards and rushed for 36 for the Tigers (6-4, 3-4 SEC).
Taylen Green passed for 165 yards, but was intercepted twice, and rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown for the Razorbacks (2-8, 0-6).
Arkansas drove to the LSU 1 on its first possession of the third quarter, but on fourth and goal Green was stopped for no gain. The Razorbacks’ next possession ended with Mike Washington running 9 yards for a touchdown and Green adding a run for a two-point conversion and a 21-16 lead that held up through the end of the third quarter.
Van Buren took the Tigers on a 12-play, 92-yard drive that ended with his 12-yard touchdown pass to Bauer Sharp for a 23-22 lead with 7:53 remaining in the game.
Arkansas had an opportunity to take the lead, but Scott Starzyk was wide right on a 48-yard field-goal attempt and LSU ran out the clock.
Wyatt Simmons blocked a punt on LSU’s first possession and Caleb Wooden returned the ball 16 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead for the Razorbacks. Green’s 11-yard touchdown run increased the lead to 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.
On the first play of the second quarter Caden Durham ran 27 yards for an LSU touchdown that cut the lead in half.
Damian Ramos kicked a 50-yard field goal for the Tigers and on the first play after the ensuing kickoff, Harold Perkins Jr. intercepted Green, leading to a 42-yard field goal by Ramos that pulled LSU within one point.
The Razorbacks drove to the Tigers’ 9 in the final minute of the second quarter before Green was intercepted by Mansoor Delane. LSU drove to Ramos’ 42-yard field goal to take a 16-14 halftime lead.
–Field Level Media
