395 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Not bad for Garrett Nussmeier's first start since 2020. All that was missing was 100 or so rushing yards and you could say it was a Jayden Daniels’ like performance.
Nussmeier was named the ReliaQuest Bowl’s MVP as he led the Tigers back from two 14-point deficits in a 35-31 win over Wisconsin.
“The way we performed is a huge going into the offseason, 35 points and it took us a minute, but we got rolling,” said Nussmeier.
LSU came into the game leading the nation in third-down conversion percentage at 57%. They struggled in the first half in those situations, going just 1-for-5.
They were 2-for-4 in the second half and Nussmeier also connected on a few more deep balls after halftime.
And even though the game was played on the first day of 2024, the contest played out like most of the games in 2023. LSU needed a big day from its quarterback to overcome a poor defense.
LSU gave up 506 yards of offense. Veteran Badgers quarterback Tanner Mordecai picked apart the Tigers’ secondary as he threw for a season-high 378 yards and three touchdowns. He only had six touchdown passes coming into the game.
Wisconsin didn’t have two of its best receivers, but still had two players surpass over 100 yards receiving. Will Pauling had 8 grabs for 143 yards and two touchdowns. Bryson Green caught seven passes for 105 yards and a touchdown.
But just like in several of LSU’s ten victories, the defense made enough plays to get a dub.
Back-to-back sacks of Mordecai on Wisconsin’s final drive prevented a go-ahead score in the final minute.
“They needed some key stops, all of this builds towards confidence and evaluating what you need to do in the offseason to be the kind of defense and offense you need to win a championship,” said Kelly.
Despite the departures of Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas, Charles Turner and possibly Logan Diggs, it looks like LSU will have a championship caliber offense next season. Kelly will have to find a new offensive coordinator.
Quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan called the plays in the bowl game and has a real shot at getting the job on a fulltime basis.
If Kelly chooses to look elsewhere, several quality candidates will emerge, because being the LSU offensive coordinator with this personnel can help a coach land a big job somewhere else.
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But LSU’s defense has a long way to go be championship caliber. It’s stunning to see opposing offenses have so much success against LSU. Most of the defensive starters on this 2023 team will be back next season. So far only one addition in the transfer portal, safety Jardin Gilbert.
Kelly is 20-7 after two seasons at LSU. His record would be worse if he didn’t have Daniels. While it looks like he has another good quarterback to lead the offense, if the defense doesn’t get fixed, the Tigers will struggle to win eight games against a very difficult schedule in 2024.