Booger McFarland calls out Brian Kelly over late fourth-down attempt in first half vs. Clemson

Clemson and LSU were locked in a tight contest at halftime in Death Valley. And it could have been even closer, if not for a decision by Tigers coach Brian Kelly that will draw significant scrutiny.

Facing fourth-and-2 from the Clemson 12-yard line with 15 seconds to play, Kelly opted to go for it. The play didn’t work out, as a short pass to Chris Hilton Jr. wound up losing a yard.

Instead of going into the half trailing 10-6, LSU trailed 10-3. ESPN analyst Booger McFarland, a former LSU standout, wasn’t a fan of the call from Brian Kelly.

“I understand what LSU is trying to do to get the ball to the perimeter to their wide receivers, but it’s going into halftime,” McFarland said. “You want to keep the momentum. Your offense has been struggling. They put a drive together.

“Kick the field goal. Momentum is with you. Now you feel good about yourself going into halftime.”

Brian Kelly has proven aggressive in the past, and perhaps he feels a little bit of pressure in this one. LSU hasn’t won a season opener in the past five years, something that was thrown about in the team facilities quite a bit in the lead-in.

LSU has been competitive against Clemson. It just has had some self-inflicted mistakes.

“Right now turnovers, that’s two turnovers in the first half,” McFarland said. “Now the momentum is not with you. I did not like the call by Brian Kelly. LSU’s got to rebound in the second half and figure out a way to get the ball to their wide receivers.”

LSU actually led the game in total yardage at the half. The Bayou Bengals piled up 177 total yards of offense, against just 110 yards for Clemson.

Caden Durham led all rushers with six carries for 31 yards, pacing the LSU ground game. Meanwhile, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was 12-of-17 passing for 96 yards. He did not throw a touchdown or an interception in the first half.