Whit Weeks’ interception key to LSU football win at Arkansas | LSU

With LSU defending a one-point lead in the third quarter at Arkansas, sophomore linebacker Whit Weeks made an interception that helped shut out the Razorbacks.

Weeks flashed untouched from the left edge and jumped as quarterback Taylen Green released a pass. He threw the ball in the air and then caught his first career interception after defender Major Burns got a hand on the ball.

“I saw Major fiddling with it, so I just grabbed it,” Weeks said. “I tried to get into the end zone but I stumbled.”

With his momentum forward, Weeks rushed at the 2-yard line, setting up an easy touchdown. Freshman running back Caden Durham scored on the next play and No. 8 LSU converted a 2-point conversion. That sequence gave the Tigers a 24-10 lead in their 34-10 victory.

“Apparently he was the receiver in the game,” LSU coach Brian Kelly said.

LSU led 16-10 at that point. The Razorbacks had kicked a field goal on their first drive of the second half and forced LSU to punt, giving them a chance to take the lead or pull within three points.

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said he told players at halftime they would make it a one-score game, get the ball back and then take the lead to put pressure on LSU.

“It kind of worked out,” Pittman said. “You know, we missed an outside shot that we should have blocked and threw the ball and it went over… it just seemed like we couldn’t recover from it.”

TAKEN OFF AND INTERCEPTED

What a piece of @WeeksWhit
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/49mjpfVSVx

– LSU Football (@LSUfootball) October 20, 2024

Weeks made another play on Arkansas’ next possession. He spotted Green on third-and-10 at the LSU 37-yard line. Once Green escaped the pocket, Weeks chased him looking for a sack. Arkansas had to punt.

After LSU took a 27-10 lead on the ensuing drive, senior defensive lineman Paris Shand sacked Green on Arkansas’ next offensive play. Weeks made a tackle on second down and then rushed an incompletion to force another punt.

The week ended with a team-high nine tackles, a sack and an interception.

“I should have made a few more plays that I didn’t make,” Weeks said, “so I need to get in the film room and learn some more.”

Weeks led LSU in tackles in two straight games after recording 18 tackles in an overtime win against Ole Miss. An energetic and athletic player, he now has 68 tackles to his name this season.

“I think what stands out is that he’s active in virtually every play,” Kelly said. “He’s an elite player in this league.”