10 Things to Know – LSU

Arkansas hits the road for the first time in 2023 to square off against longtime rival No. 12 LSU in the Battle for the Golden Boot. Kickoff between the Razorbacks and the Tigers in Death Valley is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, on ESPN.

10 Things to Know

1. – Beginning with this Saturday’s game in Baton Rouge, the Razorbacks will open SEC play with four consecutive games away from the friendly confines of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. This season marks the first time that Arkansas has played its first four conference games away from home in 98 years. It last happened in 1925, when the Razorbacks were members of the Southwest Conference.

2. – Arkansas is seeking its second consecutive win against LSU in Baton Rouge. The Hogs have never won consecutive games against the Tigers in Louisiana’s capital city. The last time that Arkansas won consecutive games against LSU in the state of Louisiana was from 1927-29 in Shreveport.

3. – Saturday’s game between Arkansas and LSU marks the earliest the two teams have ever met on the gridiron. Since the Hogs joined the SEC in 1992, the teams have played in November each season. Prior to 1992, Arkansas and LSU played 11 games in October but never during September.

4. – Under head coach Sam Pittman, the Hogs are a perfect 14-0 when winning the turnover battle. Arkansas boasts a 9-0 record when generating three or more takeaways in the Pittman era.

5. – QB KJ Jefferson has thrown for a touchdown in 14 consecutive games under center. His 54 career passing touchdowns are good for fourth-most in the Razorbacks’ record book.

6. – WR Isaiah Sategna’s 88-yard punt return in the first quarter vs. BYU is the first Hog punt return touchdown since Bryce Stephens’ 82-yard return vs. Missouri State in 2022. It’s also the longest punt return touchdown since Joe Adams’ 97-yard return vs. Ole Miss in 2010.

7. – Arkansas leads the SEC and ranks fourth in the country in rush defense, limiting opponents to 55.7 rushing yards per game and 1.72 yards per carry through the first three contests of the season.

8. – QB KJ Jefferson has completed 55-of-71 (71.4%) passes for 629 yards and six touchdowns while also running for 80 yards and a touchdown through the Razorbacks’ first three games of the season. Jefferson, who has thrown for a touchdown in each of his last 14 games played, ranks second on Arkansas’ career touchdown responsibility list with 74 (54 passing touchdowns, 20 rushing touchdowns).

9. – LB Jaheim Thomas has filled up the stat sheet on the defensive side of the ball through his first three games as a Razorback. The Cincinnati transfer is Arkansas’ leading tackler with 29 total stops, including 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Thomas, who currently ranks fourth among all SEC defenders in total tackles (29) this season, has also recorded one pass breakup on the year.

10. – Arkansas has beat five ranked FBS teams under Pittman. Since his first season, 26 of Arkansas’ 37 FBS foes have either been ranked or received votes in the national polls.