FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Caden Durham ran for 101 yards and three touchdowns, Damian Ramos made a career-best four field goals and No. 4 LSU beat Arkansas 34-10 on Saturday night.

The Tigers (6-1, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) continued their stranglehold over the Razorbacks in the Battle for The Golden Boot series, securing their eighth win in the last nine meetings. LSU has won five straight games in Fayetteville since 2016.

“These games have always been close games, but to come here and play the type of football we played today, which was about controlling the line of scrimmage – they had 38 yards rushing – and for us, to play the football and finish the game.” “With (a long drive), those are the things you look for on a football team that's emerging as a contender,” LSU coach Brian Kelly said.

Whit Weeks, the SEC's leading tackler entering the weekend, gave the Tigers some breathing room late in the third quarter when he deflected and intercepted a pass from Taylen Green inside the Arkansas 5. Durham scored on a two-yard run on the next play to extend LSU's lead to 24-10 with 4:52 left in the third.

“He’s active,” Kelly said of Weeks. “In that situation he was in a pressure situation where he was blitzing. I think what stands out is that he is active in practically all the pieces. He’s an elite player in this league.”

Ramos, whose 20-yard kick put LSU over the Razorbacks in 2023, made field goals from 33, 33, 47 and 48 yards. His last attempt took him to 12 of 14 this season.

Garrett Nussmeier threw for 233 yards and CJ Daniels caught seven passes for 86 yards for the Tigers. The week ended with nine tackles and a sack in addition to an interception.

“If you're able to get a turnover in the red zone, that's pretty much automatic points, so that was pretty cool,” Weeks said of the pick. “I distracted him, then I looked up and said, 'I don't see the ball,' then I looked at Major (Burns) and said, 'There it is.' I grabbed it and wished I had hit it.”

The Tigers' offense overcame an uncharacteristic penalty on the night. The unit was sent off 11 times, including eight times in the first half, and had a total of seven false starts.

For Arkansas (4-3, 2-2), Green passed for 239 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Andrew Armstrong had seven receptions for 94 yards and his first touchdown of the season.

The Razorbacks failed to gain momentum in the running game, rushing for a season-low 38 yards on 19 carries. It's the lowest rushing performance since the loss at Ole Miss last October at 36 yards.

“Now we have to try again against a really good Texas A&M team at their place,” Kelly said. “I didn’t know this was a homecoming (for Arkansas). I'm sure (the Aggies) will schedule their home game against us there next week as well.

“It looks like we’re getting everyone’s homecoming, so maybe next year they’ll think about not committing us to homecoming.”

game ball

Kelly said Saturday's game ball went to Ramos, a junior from Baltimore.

“I thought the field goal kicks when the game was still in balance helped us stay ahead and keep the momentum,” Kelly said.

Ramos said it was the first game ball he had received.

“It felt good,” Ramos said. “It was exciting. You have to have opportunities (to get a match ball) and it has to be the right moment. So many people deserve the match ball.”

give credit

When asked about his individual performance, Durham chose to praise his teammates Saturday night.

The freshman surpassed the 100-yard mark for the second time in the last three games.

“The night went well,” Durham said. “But I wouldn’t say it was all on my shoulders. I (credit) my O-linemen, my coaches. They have enabled me to perform well. I extend all my grace to my coaches and my O-linemen.”

Impact on the survey

With No. 7 Alabama's road loss to No. 11 Tennessee on Saturday, LSU will likely move up at least one spot – perhaps more – in the upcoming poll.

The takeaway food

LSU: The Tigers won their sixth game in a row and comfortably on the road. LSU's defense allowed just 277 yards and forced three turnovers. That bodes well as they travel to hostile Kyle Field to face No. 14 Texas A&M next week.

Arkansas: The Razorbacks remain in solid position to qualify for the bowl and need two more wins. But Arkansas needs to figure out some things offensively, particularly in the running game and ball security.

Next

LSU: The Tigers travel to Texas A&M next week.

Arkansas: The Razorbacks travel to Mississippi State next week.

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