LSU not changing QBs after Garrett Nussmeier’s interceptions | LSU

Although LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier have struggled with turnovers this season, coach Brian Kelly said Wednesday that the team will continue to work with him on the issue rather than change the quarterback.

“We believe that when we continue to grow in the first year of a starter, he gives us the best chance to be successful,” Kelly said. “When I am firm in those answers, it is because we have done due diligence. We’ve seen these kids play and we really believe he gives us the best opportunity for success.”

Nussmeier has made several impressive plays this season while throwing for 2,866 yards and 21 touchdowns, both second most in the Southeastern Conference. He is on pace to become second in passing yards and third in passing touchdowns in a season in LSU history.

But Nussmeier also has 11 interceptions, the second most in the SEC behind Georgia’s Carson Beck. He has committed multiple turnovers in four of the past five games before LSU plays Saturday at Florida.

The issue has contributed to losses in LSU’s last two games, knocking the Tigers No. 22 out of College Football Playoff contention unless they reach the SEC Championship. Nussmeier threw three interceptions in the second half of a 38-23 loss to Texas A&M. He then threw two interceptions and fumbled once in LSU’s 42-13 loss to Alabama.

“You can understand what we’re working on,” Kelly said. “You don’t need an education in football to know that we can’t continue to have the kind of mistakes in attack that we’ve had.”

Nussmeier’s 11 interceptions are the most by an LSU quarterback since Jarrett Lee had 16 in 11 games in 2008. The last time an LSU quarterback had double-digit interceptions in a season was when Jordan Jefferson threw 10 in 2010. While Nussmeier has provided moments of brilliance , his mistakes have hurt.

While LSU is trying to help Nussmeier solve the problem, Kelly said, “If we’re not seeing things the way we need to, we’re doing too much.” He said fixing the problem starts with improving the fundamentals and that the offensive staff needs to make things easier for Nussmeier if something doesn’t resonate.

“Getting back to the basic fundamentals is going to help us tremendously,” Kelly said, “and it’s going to help Garrett tremendously with where we want to go.”

Nussmeier, a redshirt junior, could still be an early draft pick if he declares for the 2025 NFL Draft because of his potential within an underwhelming quarterback class. Athletics draft analyst Dane Brugler listed Nussmeier this week as his no. 30 overall views. But Brugler noted that Nussmeier “would be wise to go back to school” to get more reps.

Kelly said Nussmeier’s footwork has been a focal point because it “forces you to be where you need to be at the right time in the right moment.” LSU had to improve former quarterback Jayden Daniels’ footwork when he transferred to LSU and near the start of his Heisman Trophy season last year, which helped with the timing.

“Garrett would tell you that’s probably the No. 1 thing he hears from me the most,” Kelly said. “We continue to work on the little things mechanically and then obviously get through his progressions.”

Without a productive rushing attack, Nussmeier has thrown the ball 375 times this season, the sixth most pass attempts in the country. After just nine games, he is on pace to surpass the number of attempts Joe Burrow (379) and Daniels (388) had in their entire first seasons at LSU.

By the end of the Florida game, he will likely have the second-most attempts in a season in LSU history behind Burrow in 2019.

Kelly said this week “that sequencing the run game with the pass game is absolutely critical so we can take some of the pressure off Nussmeier.” He has attempted 50 passes in two of the past four games, a reflection of the lack of balance in the offense.

“He gives us the best chance to be successful,” Kelly said. “That’s sort of where we are compared to first or second. We have to do a better job for him. He needs to do a better job. And we believe in him.”