Losing a preseason All-American is going to damage a team’s offensive success, no matter what team it is.
Arkansas could be dealing with a third straight week without its superstar, running back Rocket Sanders. Sanders has missed the last two games with a knee injury. Coach Sam Pittman said Sanders’ status for Saturday’s game at LSU was up in the air.
“He’s progessing faster than I thought he might,” Pittman said. “But I don’t know whether he’ll be able to play or not.”
Sanders ran for 1,443 yards with 10 touchdowns last year, earning him second-team All-American honors from the Associated Press heading into the 2023 season. He ran for 42 yards and two touchdowns in limited duty in Arkansas’ 56-13 win over Western Carolina in Week 1, but he hasn’t played since.
The Razorbacks, meanwhile, have the 82nd-ranked total offense in FBS. A lack of big plays have, especially, hurt.
The good news for Arkansas is that as good as LSU’s offense has been, its defense hasn’t been its usual stout self. The Tigers are ranked 63rd in FBS in total defense.