LSU bounced back in the season on Saturday night, following a 42-10 remarkable victory over South Alabama. Resulting in LSU’s 4-1 start only because they faced defeat in the season opener against USC. “And when Brian Kelly walked into that press conference and showed emotion, then it was too late. I don’t want to hear it after the game. I don’t want to see his fists through the table after the game. I want to see it before the game and during the game. It’s on him.” Remember Paul Finebaum‘s sharp remarks on Kelly after the USC beat them? Well now, the tables have turned, given LSU’s one-after-other hits in the season. Brian Kelly interacted with Paul Finebaum and let’s look at what they talked about.

LSU Tiger’s head coach Brian Kelly appeared on the Paul Finbam show to break down LSU’s 42-10 win over South Alabama ahead of their next game against Jaxson Dart and the Ole Miss Rebels. When Finebaum asked him about what he learned after the South Florida game. He said, “Well, they challenge you in terms of their schemes I think Major Applewhite has done a really good job of taking this program, which is a new program, and elevating it, both from an offensive standpoint and certainly from a personnel standpoint.” Kelly started by appreciating the coaching skills of Major Applewhite, who joined the program in January 2024 and transformed it in a short period.

Brian Kelly then went on to explain how it has always been LSU against LSU for their growth as a team and how it’s important to grow with each passing day. “And look, you know, for us, the opponent was ourselves, right? We needed to continue to grow as a football team from the opening week, and another challenge for us to put together a complete game. And I thought that this was probably, you know, regardless of who the opponent was, much more of a complete game for us from start to finish. And we opened fast.” He explained how not only winning the games was important, but they also had to learn something from each game to stay at the top.

He then explained how they took away a win against South Alabama, saying, “We started with a play that resulted in a touchdown right out of the gates, and I think we created the kind of clean play before quarters that we were looking for.” Kelly, who joined the program last year in December, faced a good deal of backlash by choosing LSU over USC and even leaving Notre Dame. So he had a lot on his shoulders to prove. Besides, he has a track record of elevating a program through his coaching expertise and that’s how he has managed to secure victories in the season; except for the first loss to USC. besides, LSU’s upcoming game against Ole Miss is also going to be exciting, as both programs hold equal weight right now.

Brian Kelly on LSU’s win over South Alabama

On the opening drive, LSU took the lead, scoring a 71-yard touchdown pass by Garrett Nussmeier to Caden Durham, putting them ahead 7-0 just 1:24 into the game. LSU added one more rushing 1-yard touchdown with Nussmeier at 10:47, extending their lead to 14-0. Toward the end of the first quarter, the Tigers came up with another 8-yard rushing touchdown, making it 21-0.

Moving into the second quarter, South Florida took their much-needed move with a 49-yard field goal by Laith Marjan, resulting in a 21-3 score at the 13:15 mark. However, LSU made a quick comeback following Nussmeier’s rushing touchdown from five yards out, elevating the lead to 28-3 toward halftime. Right before the halftime, Nussmeier connected with Aaron Anderson for a 23-yard touchdown pass, increasing the score to 35-3.

In the third quarter, South Alabama found the end zone with quarterback Cameron Lapez throwing a 27-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Eager, reaching the 35-10 score. In no time coming into the fourth quarter, LSU responded with a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Josh Williams, leading to LSU’s final score of 42-10, sealing the deal for them.