Brian Kelly and his LSU Tigers were in dire straits coming into the final weekend of the regular season. On the field or off it- just nothing going the Tigers’ way. It seemed like this would continue when QB Garrett Nussmeier went to the locker room under duress with an apparent shoulder injury. But cometh the hour and cometh the man. Nuss is cut from a fabric different to your usual college QB and he showed just that.
Nussmeier returned to the game and played lights out. He had 277 yards and 3 TDs through the air as LSU ran out 37-17 winners against Oklahoma. Much of the blame for the Tigers’ recent peril fell on the shoulders of Nussmeier’s inconsistencies. It was almost as if those shoulders got a requisite recalibration of sorts with the injury. LSU got to a respectable 8-4 record. However, their future prospects remain uncertain.
Post-game, Garrett Nussmeier spoke about how “God’s timing is always right” in relation to the upturn in his performances. He spoke about wanting to persevere through a potential injury for the seniors who were playing their last game at Tiger Stadium. This would suggest he’s not part of the contingent exiting Baton Rouge. Nuss expanded upon this notion once the adrenaline settled down a little.
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“Have you decided on whether you’re coming back next year?” he was asked by a member of the media. Nussmeier remained mostly tight-lipped around the verdict. “I have not decided about that. I’ve not had any discussions, any conversations. I wanted to leave that out till after the season. Didn’t want to go over that and I can’t really tell you where I’m at right now or what I think. I know that I love being here at LSU, I love this team. Love this school, this organization. This family [and] the fan base. I’ll get into those conversations probably early this week and try [to] figure everything out from there”, he said.
Garrett Nussmeier has acquired some realistic draft consideration from the big league. Being the son of a former NFL QB, his style and development have almost been catered towards the pros. However, he still has a year of college eligibility left. LSU infamously failed to land Bryce Underwood. It is now widely believed that Nuss will remain under center for another year.
The next few days should provide clarity. Nussmeier also confirmed that he shall take part in LSU’s imminent Bowl game. Good signs for the Tigers’ faithful.
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Brian Kelly makes a rod for his own back amid noise from outside
There’s one person who’s caught more flak for LSU’s misdemeanors than Garrett Nussmeier. That would be Brian Kelly. Coach has been treated to the full SEC experience after the realignment. From winning 10 games or more for 7 straight seasons through his Notre Dame tenure into Year 2 at LSU to a season that entailed 3 consecutive losses in conference play. Despite that, his ambitions are not deterred. Brian Kelly made a sensational claim after the Oklahoma win.
“Whatever camp you want to jump into, go right ahead”, he said, addressing the media and by extension the CFB world in his presser. “We’re taking receipts, and we’ll see you at the National Championship.” It’s bold, coming from a guy whose credibility as an HC was undermined after the 3-game slide.
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Whether this prediction rings true in a year’s time, Brian Kelly has turned up the pressure on his own back now. There is no going back to a program as prestigious as LSU. He knows what he signed on for when he jumped ship from Notre Dame. Kelly will hope he’s got Garrett Nussmeier to lean on in achieving these lofty ambitions.
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Can Garrett Nussmeier's grit lead LSU to glory, or is Brian Kelly's boldness just hot air?
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Can Garrett Nussmeier's grit lead LSU to glory, or is Brian Kelly's boldness just hot air?
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