Nate Allen
FAYETTEVILLE - KJ Jefferson’s first Arkansas quarterback start came in 2019 at LSU’s Tiger Stadium, alias Death Valley, where the Razorbacks play the Tigers Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La.
Circumstances differ vastly now for him and LSU.
By then Barry Lunney Jr., now the successful offensive coordinator at very successful 9-0 University of Texas-San Antonio, was Arkansas’ interim coach, finishing the Chad Morris regime’s 2-year 0-16 SEC string.
Freshman Jefferson got his one and only 2019 start before being literally knocked out of the 56-20 loss to Coach Ed Orgeron’s national champion Tigers with a concussion.
At 6:30 p.m. Saturday on the SEC Network, Jefferson returns to Death Valley for this SEC West game as the 9-game third-year sophomore starter for the bowl eligible Razorbacks. And LSU, with Orgeron knowing he’s dismissed at this season’s end, struggles 4-5, last in the SEC West at 2-4 but coming off a gallant effort losing, 20-16 last Saturday at nationally No. 2 reigning national champion Alabama.
So, Jefferson was asked Tuesday evening after practice, does he fret second-year Arkansas Coach Sam Pittman’s Razorbacks arriving too relaxed off achieving Arkansas 6-game minimum bowl eligibility for the first time since Bret Bielema’s 7-6 Razorbacks in 2016?
Might the Hogs count on LSU, already in an emotional wringer under a lame duck staff, being emotionally spent after last Saturday’s close but no cigar in Tuscaloosa, Ala.?
“There’s no relaxing,” Jefferson asserted citing the November 4-game run they promised themselves upon snapping a 3-game losing streak (all SEC games) two games ago with a 45-3 nonconference rout of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Last Saturday they defeated SEC rival Mississippi State.
“We’re trying to continue the run that we started with the UAPB game and just keep it rolling,” Jefferson said. “We’re trying to finish the season on a good, positive note. We know we’re eligible for a bowl now, and we get to go bowling, but we’re still putting our best foot forward. We’ve got to finish the season strong.”
He assumes Orgeron’s Tigers taking a similar vow.
“I’m expecting them to come out and play hard,” Jefferson said. “It’s going to be a good matchup. We’re going to play hard. They’re going to play hard. We’re not worried about them taking a break from playing Alabama. I mean, it’s the SEC. You have to bring your A-game each and every game.”
He knows part of LSU’s A-game will be directed at him.
“The thing that stands out the most to me is they have a lot of different fronts and a lot of blitzes they like to call,” Jefferson said. “They’re very successful with blitzing.”
Jefferson was asked to recall his memory of playing at Tiger Stadium, a day game when Jefferson played in 2019, but under Saturday’s lights when LSU’s crowds created the Death Valley scenario.
“The only thing I really remember is it being very loud down there,” Jefferson said. “Like extremely loud. Probably one of the loudest places I've played, so far. That's about the only thing I remember about Death Valley."
The concussion likely doesn’t help that memory lane.
What Jefferson has displayed passing and running this season renders him on LSU’s radar.
"The main thing is I'm more confident now, confident in my decision making and confident in my play and being confident and making sure my guys have my back and I have their back."
Jefferson assured he does have his knee unscathed.
Last week’s Arkansas vs. Mississippi State at Reynolds Razorback telecast noted the blood on Jefferson’s knee which later mystified Jefferson.
“I didn’t have a busted knee at all,” Jefferson said. “People were coming up to me asking me was my knee alright, but that was paint from the Hog.”
Senior safety Joe Foucha of New Orleans, and with ties to Baton Rouge, comes back to Louisiana as a Hog for the final time.
“I'm still trying to get as many tickets as I can get,” Foucha said, “I'm probably at about 24 right now so I'm still looking for more tickets.”
He loves seeing family and friends and would love even more bringing the Golden Boot Trophy that goes to the Arkansas-LSU winner out of Louisiana and back to Arkansas.
In their annual SEC West game, the Hogs last beat LSU in 2014.
“I've never had the Boot trophy,” Foucha said. “It’s a big game for us all, not just me.”