LSU starting safety AJ Haulcy has been suspended for the first half of Saturday night’s game against 4th ranked Clemson. The suspension stems from a fight Haulcy got into last year in the regular season finale when he was at Houston.
Video shows Haulcy throwing punches at a BYU receiver Darrius Lassiter after the Cougars scored a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Haulcy was ejected and since his ejection was the result of fighting, he must miss an entire half of football.
"In the last game of the 2024 season, A.J. Haulcy was ejected from the contest, initially listed as unsportsmanlike conduct," the NCAA said in a statement, "but clarified postgame that game officials ejected the player for fighting. Fighting carries an automatic carryover penalty."
And the suspension can not be appealed.
"Penalties do carry over to the following season and follow a player when transferring," the NCAA said. "There is no appeal process for college football players ejected for fighting."
LSU was made aware on Wednesday that Haulcy was facing a suspension, apparently unaware that Haulcy could possibly miss the first half of the season opener.
Kelly said on his radio show Thursday night that the NCAA upheld its ruling.
"It’s unfortunate," Kelly said. "We can’t sit here and complain because the decision’s been made, so let’s move on.”
The good news is that LSU has depth at the safety position. Jardin Gilbert, who started at safety last season, could fill in for Haulcy. Sophomore Dashawn Spears or junior Javien Toviano are other options.
Haulcy was one of LSU’s biggest additions out of the transfer portal in the offseason. Haulcy intercepted five passes for a 4-and-8 Houston Cougars team last season. The senior also had 74 tackles and was an All-Big-12 performer.