Evaluating the top performers from LSU Football's Week 8 win

No. 8 LSU (6-1, 3-0) earned a 34-10 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks behind a complete performance from Brian Kelly's program on Saturday night in Fayetteville.

The Tigers have been looking for a complete performance this season, and Week 8 delivered just that after dominating in all three phases of play.

Now LSU sits atop the Southeastern Conference heading into Week 9 with a date against the Texas A&M Aggies next weekend.

Who stole the show for the Bayou Bengals in Fayetteville? Who enabled LSU to escape with a win?

Attack: RB Caden Durham

LSU running back Caden Durham has provided the Tigers' rushing attack this season, with the freshman phenom shining again on Saturday night.

The youngster hauled in 21 carries for 101 yards and three touchdowns in Week 8 after averaging nearly 5.0 yards per carry.

It's no secret that LSU's running game has been difficult in 2024, but with Durham at the helm, he has allowed the rushing attack to show life in SEC play.

Durham's breakout performance this season came in the SEC opener against the South Carolina Gamecocks in Week 3. Now he's carrying the momentum into another crucial conference game against the Arkansas Razorbacks.

He has shown impressive balance, vision and technique in offensive coordinator Joe Sloan's offense while allowing the program to add variety to the playbook.

We saw signalman Garrett Nussmeier take control of the offense thanks to a fantastic passing attack, but with Durham unlocking the running game, this unit can click on all cylinders.

Defense: Whit Weeks

LSU linebacker Whit Weeks has introduced himself to America after two dominant performances against Ole Miss and Arkansas.

After an 18-tackle performance last weekend against the Rebels, Weeks put together another masterpiece Saturday night in Fayetteville against the Razorbacks.

The second-year star finished the night with nine total tackles, five solo tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, two pass breakups and one interception. The stat sheet stuffer was shot out of a cannon on almost every play after wreaking havoc in the backfield.

LSU found itself in a one-score game with the Razorbacks in the third quarter. With Arkansas trending, insert Weeks as a hero.

The youngster hit a pass at the line of scrimmage, kept his eye on the ball and made an impulsive interception.

On the next play, it was Caden Durham who tied the score to give LSU all the momentum without the program blinking after the touchdown.

“We got it to 16-10 and I thought we had a really good chance,” Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman said. “Unfortunately we tipped the ball up to intercept it. They scored on the next play. Three turnovers to no turnovers against a team like LSU because they’re a really good team that’s tough to win.”

Overall: K Damian Ramos

LSU kicker Damian Ramos earned his flowers after Saturday night in Fayetteville.

The veteran kicker was a scorcher for the Bayou Bengals after going 4-for-4 on field goal attempts from 33, 48, 33 and 47 yards.

It's no secret that Kelly and Co. struggled on special teams during his tenure in Baton Rouge, but Week 8 presented the Tigers with an opportunity to play complementary football and dominate at all three levels.

On special teams, it was Ramos who lifted the unit after a perfect performance and four field goals at critical moments in the contest.

No. 8 LSU will travel to College Station next weekend to take on the Texas A&M Aggies in the battle for the top spot in the Southeastern Conference.

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