If you were looking for a clean, highlight-reel masterpiece in Baton Rouge this past November, you probably walked away from Tiger Stadium feeling a little dazed. The lsu and arkansas score ended up at 23-22 in favor of the Tigers, but that single point of separation doesn't even begin to cover the absolute chaos that unfolded on the field.
It was ugly. It was gritty. Honestly, it was exactly what you expect when two teams are playing under interim head coaches with a 175-pound gold trophy shaped like a boot on the line.
LSU fans were basically holding their breath for four quarters. After a season that saw Brian Kelly depart and Frank Wilson step into the fire, the Tigers were staring down a three-game losing streak. Arkansas, meanwhile, was trying to salvage their own identity under Bobby Petrino. What we got was a game defined by red-zone meltdowns, trick plays that actually worked, and a backup quarterback making his first career start in one of the most hostile environments in college football.
The Wild Reality of the LSU and Arkansas Score
The scoreboard at the end of the night read 23-22, but for a long time, it looked like Arkansas was going to run away with it. They jumped out to a 14-0 lead. Just like that. A blocked punt returned for a touchdown by Caleb Wooden and a Taylen Green rushing score had the home crowd sounding more like a library than Death Valley.
But here’s where things got weird.
Michael Van Buren Jr., making his first start for the injured Garrett Nussmeier, didn't panic. He wasn't perfect—completing 21 of 31 passes for 221 yards—but he was efficient when the Tigers were desperate. LSU chipped away with a 27-yard burst from Caden Durham and a trio of field goals from Damian Ramos. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Why Arkansas Let It Slip
If you're a Razorback fan, this one's going to sting for a while. Arkansas outgained LSU in some stretches, but they couldn't stop shooting themselves in the foot.
- Turnovers: Taylen Green threw two massive interceptions. One of those was hauled in by Harold Perkins Jr. in a play that reminded everyone why he’s a projected top-ten pick.
- The Goal Line Stand: Arkansas had the ball inside the 1-yard line. Fourth and goal. They went for it, and the LSU defensive front, led by Jacobian Guillory, stuffed them. No points.
- The Final Kick: Scott Starzyk had a chance to put Arkansas ahead with a 48-yard field goal with five minutes left. It sailed wide.
The Drive That Saved LSU's Season
Trailing 22-16 in the fourth, LSU took over at their own 8-yard line. This was the moment. Van Buren led a 92-yard march that felt like it took a decade. They used eight different receivers on that drive alone. It wasn't just standard play-calling either; Frank Wilson reached deep into the bag of tricks, including a pass attempt from wideout Zavion Thomas.
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Finally, on 3rd-and-6 from the 12-yard line, Van Buren found tight end Bauer Sharp in the back of the end zone. 23-22.
The stadium erupted.
Arkansas had one more shot, but after the missed field goal, Van Buren iced the game himself. He broke loose for a 35-yard scramble on a 2nd-and-16 that effectively ended any hope for a Razorback comeback. It was a gutsy, veteran-style move from a kid who hadn't started a game until that Saturday.
A History of One-Score Heartbreaks
This rivalry, the "Battle for the Golden Boot," has a weird habit of ending this way. Since 1996, these two programs have been obsessed with keeping the score as close as humanly possible.
- 2025: LSU wins 23-22.
- 2024: LSU dominated 34-10 (the rare blowout).
- 2023: LSU wins 34-31.
- 2022: LSU wins 13-10.
- 2021: Arkansas wins 16-13 in overtime.
The lsu and arkansas score is almost always a coin flip. LSU has now won nine of the last ten meetings, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's been easy. Most of those games were decided by a single possession. The Golden Boot stays in Baton Rouge for the fourth straight year, but the gap between these two teams is much smaller than the trophy cabinet suggests.
Stat Leaders from the 2025 Matchup
| Player | Team | Stat |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Van Buren Jr. | LSU | 221 Pass Yds, 1 TD |
| Taylen Green | Arkansas | 165 Pass Yds, 70 Rush Yds, 2 INT |
| Caden Durham | LSU | 65 Rush Yds, 1 TD |
| Zavion Thomas | LSU | 80 Receiving Yds |
What Happens Next for Both Programs?
Frank Wilson’s first win as interim coach breathes some life into a program that felt like it was spiraling. They moved to 6-4, securing bowl eligibility during a year where "rebuilding" became an understatement. For Arkansas, the loss is a bitter pill. They moved to 2-8, a record that doesn't quite reflect how competitive they've been in games like this.
If you’re looking to track the next chapter of this rivalry, keep an eye on the transfer portal. Both teams are likely to see significant roster turnover as they hunt for permanent head coaching solutions.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Re-watch the fourth quarter: Specifically the 92-yard LSU drive. It’s a masterclass in using "non-traditional" playmakers under pressure.
- Watch Michael Van Buren's development: If he stays at LSU through the coaching transition, he’s established himself as a legitimate SEC starter.
- Check the 2026 Schedule: The next meeting is already set for November 28, 2026. Given the trend, expect another one-score thriller that comes down to a late-game mistake or a goal-line stand.
The final lsu and arkansas score of 23-22 is now etched into the history of the Boot, proving once again that when these two neighbors meet, the form book goes right out the window.