Arkansas and LSU have a distinct rivalry. While LSU fans may shrug off the idea of Arkansas being a rival; the truth is, they are.
The Golden Boot is proof of that. The giant gold trophy in the shape of Louisiana and Arkansas is something that gives meaning to this rivalry. With Arkansas and LSU having disappointing seasons, there may not be much left to play for. However, this Saturday presents an opportunity to bring home some hardware.
Since the two began meeting every year with Arkansas joining the Southeastern Conference, the series is 22-11 in favor of LSU. The series has brought many memorable games.
This game was once a centerpiece of “Black Friday” as the two squared off on the afternoon the Friday after Thanksgiving. However, this game lost its place amidst an ever-expanding SEC. Now, Arkansas plays Missouri the final week of the season. As for LSU, it will be Oklahoma in 2025 then to be determined as the Sooners are not even on their schedule in 2026.
LSU and Arkansas will continue to play every year as the schools were named annual opponents earlier this year.
That means The Golden Boot will live on along with the rivalry that has brought us:
LSU interim Hal Hunter
Hal Hunter is the only undefeated coach in LSU Football history. Hunter is a perfect 1-0. After the firing of Gerry Dinardo in 1999, Hunter stepped in and delivered a 35-10 over Arkansas. That was LSU’s lone SEC win that season.
The Miracle on Markham
One of the most painful losses in LSU history came when Matt Jones hit DeCori Birmingham in the final seconds of the 2001 meeting. With the following extra point, Arkansas would take the victory, 21-20. The win gave Arkansas a berth in the SEC Championship.
2006 & 2007
The meetings in 2006 and 2007 may have been the peak of this rivalry. Arkansas represented the SEC West in the SEC Championship in 2006 and LSU did so in 2007.
While Arkansas won the SEC West in 2006, they did not win The Golden Boot. Despite the best efforts of Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, LSU got the victory. McFadden had 182 yards and was nearly unstoppable. However, on the final series, Arkansas elected to leave it in the hands of quarterback Casey Dick. Dick did not complete a single pass on the drive as the Razorbacks turned it over on downs. LSU would get the victory, 31-26.
2007 was another wild one as Arkansas got the victory in triple overtime. McFadden was dominant once again, rushing for 206 yards and 3 touchdowns. After the game, he would proclaim, “I got that wood!”.
The Razorbacks also took home The Golden Boot, but LSU would go on to win the SEC Championship and National Championship.
Top 5 Meeting in 2011
These teams met in another highly consequential game in 2011. Arkansas and LSU entered this matchup as #3 and #1, respectively.
Arkansas raced out to a 14-0 lead, but LSU would tie things up on a Tyrann Mathieu punt return.
LSU would then cruise to a 41-17 win on their way to cap off an undefeated regular season.
Right now, LSU and Arkansas are a far cry from being top five teams. But when they meet on Saturday, they are playing for one of the best trophies in all of sports.
It is great that this series will continue annually and that is no longer played in that dump of a stadium in Little Rock every other year.
OUTTA HERE!
Clarknado Sports 