Hogs Trio Have Lot to Play For with Different Reasons

Freshman making his first road start, two upperclassmen returning it means a lot to many Hogs.

Author:
Jacob Davis
Publish date:
Sep 22, 2023 3:03 PM EDT

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A trio of Hogs’ have different views going into Tiger Stadium on Saturday. While true freshman tight end Luke Hasz takes in his first collegiate road game, Landon Jackson and Dwight McGlothern will face their former team in Death Valley for the first time.

Hasz had his best game at tight end on Saturday against BYU with four catches for 78 yards and his first career touchdown. Despite the performance, he was ready to get to practice and put the loss to the Cougars behind him.

"It was great to get out there and get some confidence going," Hasz said. “We’re excited for this week."

Now Hasz and the Hogs must adjust to their underdog role at LSU this Saturday. The Hogs will have their opportunity to develop even more chemistry in the passing game as the Tigers have struggled in coverage giving up over 207 yards per game. LSU has also given up 10 passing plays of 20 or more yards, which is in the bottom half of the SEC.

What will be different about this game for Hasz is being introduced to the rabid fanbases for which the SEC is known. The crowd in Tiger Stadium, also known as Death Valley, has been known to trigger tremors on the Richter scale.

"I'm excited, it's going to be a great atmosphere, going to be a lot of people, and it being at night is going to be crazy," Hasz said.

The Tigers started the season with a surprising 21-point loss to Florida State in Week 1. So far, the loss appears to be more about how good the Seminoles were that night rather than how bad LSU looked during the second half. Neither team has lost a game since and the Tigers have looked more focused along the way.

Jayden Daniels has been electric for the LSU offense, completing 73% of his passes for 976 yards, eight touchdowns and just one interception. He leads the Tigers’ ground game with 35 carries for 157 yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns.

McGlothern and Jackson will play in Baton Rouge for the first time since both players transferred away from LSU following the 2021 season. As a Tiger, the Houston native recorded 41 total tackles in his two seasons in Baton Rouge scoring his only collegiate touchdown, a pick six.

"I'm sure [McGlothern] is very excited,” Arkansas defensive back Alfahiym Walcott said. “Nudie is going to be Nudie at the end of the day, but I know he's excited."

Jackson caught action during the 2021 season at LSU with all snaps coming on special teams. He tore his ACL before transferring to Arkansas. Although he had a slow start to his career as a Hog, Jackson has finally come into his own with 10 tackles, six for loss and two sacks through three games. His size and speed will play a role in pressuring a LSU offensive line that's allowed seven sacks this season.

Coach Sam Pittman said McGlothern isn’t the only one looking to avenge a home loss to the Tigers last season. The Hogs’ team captain, Jackson, has been quietly working hard this week in preparation for the game.

“Nudie, he talks a little bit more than Landon. Landon doesn’t say anything hardly. He doesn’t talk a whole lot,” Pittman said. “But I think that they are excited to get back. Any time you leave a team, you want to play well against that team. You just do.”

The Hogs will play LSU at Saturday, starting at 6 p.m. on ESPN and fuboTV before a national audience. You can hear the game in select radio markets at HitThatLineor on the radio at ESPN Arkansas 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.