After starting 23 consecutive games for the LSU Tigers, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was benched in the third quarter in the 20-9 loss to Alabama.
Nussmeier’s numbers were not terrible. He completed 18 of his 21 passes and did not turn the ball over. But he only threw for 121 yards and produced six points.
With nothing to lose, interim head coach Frank Wilson inserted Michael Van Buren into the game in the hopes it would catch Alabama off guard. But Van Buren could only generate three more points for the Tigers as he rushed for 20 yards and threw for 52 yards.
So, who will start on Saturday against Arkansas? It was the first question asked to Wilson on Monday.
“Like last week, I’ll say to you, we’re going to use everything that we have, and both of those guys will play in this game moving forward,” Wilson said.
Wilson would not give a clear answer on who would start, but said…
“I thought Garrett did well enough at times to still be in position to be the starter as we start and embark on this week,” Wilson said. “So, when we go to corrections today and practice tomorrow (Tuesday), he’ll be the first guy that goes in.”
The other big position battle is at starting right tackle. Redshirt freshman Weston Davis started on Saturday against Alabama, but he was replaced by redshirt freshman Ory Williams later in the game. Wilson says he and the staff will continue to evaluate their play before making a decision.
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“They both did some really good things,” Wilson said. “They both did some things that we need to build upon, but we haven’t made that decision yet.”
LSU has yet to score more than 25 points against an FBS opponent, but they should be able to do so this Saturday. The Razorbacks are last in the SEC in allowing 33 points a game and 431 total yards per game.
But they do have a good pass rusher in Quincy Rhodes Jr, who is tied for second in the SEC in sacks with eight.