BATON ROUGE, La. — After LSU lost to USC in its season opener in Las Vegas, Tigers head coach Brian Kelly could’ve taken the high road when it comes to team morale.
Instead, he threw his team, most notably his starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier under the bus following a 27-20 loss to the Trojans. Nussmeier completed 29-of-38 passes for 304 yards, two touchdowns and a lone interception. That lone turnover happened with four seconds remaining, desperation time for LSU.
Kelly was visibly shaken after his team’s fifth consecutive loss in season openers. He spoke about how Nussmeier was outplayed in USC’s Miller Moss which drew the ire of former Alabama’s Heisman-winning tailback Mark Ingram.
“That’s not throwing him under the bus, that’s throwing him under the 18-wheeler semi,” Ingram said this week on The Triple Option podcast. “Your player just went out there and played his tail off. You said it. Nine incompletions, 300 yards, two touchdowns. He didn’t throw an interception until the last pass of the game — which the game was over — and you go out here and you throw your player, your starting quarterback, under the bus? You should be encouraging these guys.”
“I know he wants that back, because in a tough nailbiter like that, that’s divisive for your team,” Ingram said. “I’m sure he’s apologized to his team. I’m sure he’s clarified to his team … Coach, let’s take a step back. Your quarterback played extremely well and put you all in position to be able to win the game.”
LSU’s Defense a Huge Problem
The Tigers’ third year head coach shouldn’t let complete blame fall directly on the shoulders of Nussmeier. He singlehandedly went head-to-head with another talented quarterback and sadly one team is meant to lose. His lone pick shouldn’t have sent him over the edge as much as it should the defense not holding up its end of the bargain under first year coordinator Blake Baker. The Tigers’ defense surrendered two long touchdown drive in the fourth quarter that helped USC to victory.
Coaches are meant to take full blame for losses but blame should be placed on the team as a whole, coaches and assistants. After hiring Baker as the highest paid assistant coach in America to direct a defense among as worst in Power Conference football last season, its fair to say LSU’s defensive performance left much to be desired.
Despite utilizing Nussmeier’s gunslinger mentality, the Tigers’ offense drew up more of a conservative offensive approach. No shots downfield were taken with a quarterback who possesses a strong, accurate arm. Instead of targeting Mason Taylor, Kyren Lacy or transfer CJ Daniels, LSU opted to utilize its run game with sixth-year senior John Emery which was blown up on several occasions.
Going ultra-conservative along with a Swiss cheese fourth quarter defense cost LSU another season opening loss.
“We had some guys play their butts off tonight and we’re sitting here again, we’re sitting here again talking about the same things!” Kelly said before slamming his hand on the table. “About not finishing when you have an opponent in a position to put them away. But what we’re doing on the sideline is feeling like the game is over.”
“I’m so angry about it that I’ve got to do something about it. I’m not doing a good enough job as a coach,” Kelly said. “I’ve got to coach them better because it’s unacceptable for us not to have found a way to win this football game. It’s ridiculous. It’s crazy.”
SEC FEED:
• NC State Coach Gives High Praise to Vols Quarterback
• SEC Shorts Release New Skit After Week One, Plenty of Love for Vanderbilt
• Four SEC Quarterbacks Earn High Marks for Week One Performances
• Saban Stars in Hilarious VRBO Rental Commercial
• Overreacting to Tennessee, Iamaleava’s Week One Performance
