It was third down and three to go for Arkansas with 1:35 remaining in the game. Arkansas QB Feleipe Franks floated a pass to Trelon Smith, and here comes Jay Ward from the secondary. As Smith tried to make the catch and turn up field, the play was disrupted.

The LSU defensive back arrived just as the ball did and broke up the pass to help LSU hang on as the Tigers deflected the field goal attempt to ultimately win, 27-24.

On Tuesday morning, coach Ed Orgeron explained why Ward was ready to make that play, and in position. That play preserved the third down shutout for the LSU defense as it held Arkansas to 0-for-10 on third down conversions. Orgeron said on “Off the Bench” on 104.5 ESPN that the third down success was a combination of pass rush and coverage.

“That same play was a play they had run before out of that formation,” Orgeron said. “Slot trips with the back away, watch for the back swing. We had showed them that on tape, we had showed them that on paper, and we practiced it three times and I’ll be dern, when they came to run it, Jay Ward was prepared, I’ve got to give credit to his coaches, coach Corey Raymond and coach Bill Busch, for preparing those guys for that. He knew exactly what play was coming and made the play.”