Brian Kelly responds to question of potential QB change for LSU
Brian Kelly was asked the predictable question in the aftermath of last Saturday night’s beatdown. While nothing came easily for LSU in its 42-13 loss to Alabama at Death Valley, the Tigers head coach easily brushed aside the question that was asked about his starting quarterback, Garrett Nussmeier.
It was simply, are you considering a change at the helm in Week 12 as your team gets ready to head to The Swamp to face Florida?
“Absolutely not,” shot back Kelly during an SEC teleconference. “He gives us the best option for success. … But it doesn’t take a degree in football to know what we have to work on.”
Our Wilson Alexander asks Kelly if he's considering a QB change with Nussmeier's recent struggles: "Absolutely not. He gives us the best option for success. … But it doesn't take a degree in football to know what we have to work on." #LSU
— Scott Rabalais (@RabalaisAdv) November 13, 2024
Nussmeier struggled on Saturday night like basically the entire team, throwing 2 interceptions and being thoroughly outplayed by Crimson Tide counterpart Jalen Milroe. Nussmeier now has 11 interceptions this season, including 5 in his past 2 games, having thrown 3 picks in a loss at Texas A&M 2 weeks before the Alabama debacle.
Not surprisingly, Nussmeier’s struggles have coincided with LSU losing its past 2 games after winning 6 in a row. Kelly believes Nussmeier’s footwork needs to improve.
“Your footwork forces you into the right decisions,” explained Kelly. “Garrett would tell you that’s the No. 1 thing he hears from me the most. We continue to work on the little things mechanically, getting through progressions. He’s been great to work with.”
Kelly says Nuss's footwork … needs work: Your footwork forces you into the right decisions. Garrett would tell you that's the No. 1 thing he hears from me the most. We continue to work on the little things mechanically, getting through progressions. He's been great to work with
— Scott Rabalais (@RabalaisAdv) November 13, 2024
So, how can Kelly and his coaching staff make things easier for Nussmeier and the Tigers offense?
“It’s getting back to the fundamentals for us,” said Kelly.
On SEC teleconference, Brian Kelly asked the question of can the coaching staff make things easier for #LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and the whole offense.
"It's getting back to the fundamentals for us."
— Cory Diaz (@ByCoryDiaz) November 13, 2024
We’ll see if that translates into better results come Saturday at The Swamp. LSU and Florida will kick things off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
I think Nuss just needs to settle down and not force throws, I have zero issues with him rolling out and throwing the ball away. The Gator secondary is pretty beat up, if Nuss can play smart then there’s an opportunity for him to get back in a groove and get his confidence back.
Agreed. Nuss needs to start taking the easier route more. Throw it away, tuck and run a few yards, throw the ball short to the higher percentage option. He tries to push it deep too often.
Nuss does tend to telegraph his passes very often and as far as Kelly saying that they need to get back to fundamentals, well isn’t that what spring practice is for? You can’t wait until mid-November to talk fundamental football.
Nussmeier is just a relic of past Qb’s in football. In the SEC & most football you have to be a dual threat Qb to some degree to expect to have long term success. BK knows this and is just trying to get this season over trying to create some sort of running attack out of our pass blocking O line. Just hopin we don’t wind up 6 – 6 cuz we’re facing 3 more dual threat qb’s coming up and haven’t stopped any lately !
I don’t see us losing the next three, we did pretty well against Jaxson Dart and Taylon Green and they’re both dual threat QBs. We finish the season strong and lock this next class down, it’s not what most Tiger fans were hoping for but progress isn’t always linear. Next up is Gainesville, Geaux Tigers!
You will lose at least one of the next three