LSU’s bye week couldn’t have come at a more crucial time for quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. Battling through an injury, the Tigers’ signal-caller finally got the rest he needed — something head coach Brian Kelly says will be key as LSU prepares for a demanding SEC stretch.
Kelly provided an encouraging update on Monday, noting that while Nussmeier wasn’t heavily involved on the field during the break, he stayed fully engaged with the team.
“He’s feeling better and better,” Kelly said. “We didn’t do a lot with him last week. We wanted to use that as a recovery week for him. Obviously, did a lot with VR, stayed involved in everything that we’re doing — run game checks, splits checks, things of that nature. But we just cut him down from the throwing… Our expectations after talking to him is that he feels good and he’s ready to go.”
The update comes after LSU’s Sept. 27 loss to Ole Miss, when Nussmeier declined to discuss his health postgame. Kelly later revealed the quarterback had been dealing with an abdominal issue that began just before the season opener against Clemson. Despite the pain, Nussmeier pushed through the first five games, producing mixed results as both he and the Tigers tried to find consistency.
So far, Nussmeier has completed 67.3% of his passes for 1,159 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story — LSU’s struggles in the run game have put extra pressure on the junior quarterback, who has faced relentless defensive pressure nearly every time he drops back.
“I mean, the quarterback is going to get micro-managed when you lose games,” Kelly said on Sept. 28. “I get that. Look, all I can tell you is, you know, he’s healthy. And, you know, again, I think he would tell you, just like Tyree Adams would tell you, just like Chris Hilton would tell you, Bauer Sharp would tell you. We need to play better and more consistent on the offensive side of the ball.”
Fortunately, Nussmeier and LSU have a chance to reset in a familiar and favorable setting. The Tigers will host South Carolina next, a rematch of last year’s early-season thriller. And with kickoff set for 6:45 p.m. CT under the lights in Death Valley, the stage is set for another electric Saturday night in Baton Rouge.
