Ed Orgeron reveals decision on Garrett Nussmeier availability

Despite just 26 passes over three games, four-star freshman Garrett Nussmeier has brought excitement for his future. Following a 20-14 loss against No. 2 Alabama, LSU head coach Ed Orgeron addressed the developing quarterback discussion in Baton Rouge.

One concern for the true freshman is future status. Under NCAA guidelines, a player who participates in four or fewer games can use a redshirt, allowing Garrett Nussmeier to enter 2022 as a freshman.

“If I’m gonna play him, it’s gonna be for significant snaps,” Orgeron said during his postgame press conference. “And I just wasn’t gonna play him for two or three snaps tonight. It’s got to be significant. And listen, I do believe he’s gonna end up redshirting, that’s not sure yet. But I hate to burn the redshirt year for two or three plays.”

LSU entered the preseason with senior quarterback Myles Brennan, but a preseason injury forced sophomore Max Johnson into action. This resulted in Garrett Nussmeier’s rise to backup, which limited quarterback depth with the redshirt concern. With just one game remaining, Orgeron’s staff opted not to call the freshman into action despite the score and situation.

Despite the reluctance to use Garrett Nussmeier, several LSU freshmen have been forced into action by injuries across the board. The defense has been hit hard, with other problems on the offensive line and skill position spots. As the 4-5 Tigers move forward, they must way the cost of bowl pursuit with future eligibility concerns.

Ed Orgeron on LSU’s pride

No one thought Ed Orgeron and the LSU Tigers would put up a fight against the Alabama Crimson Tide. As Orgeron took to Bryant-Denny Stadium for an away game, his Tigers were tabbed 28.5-point underdogs, and it wasn’t hard to understand why.

Before Saturday, the Tigers had gone just .500 since their national title-winning perfect season, explaining Orgeron’s impending departure as head coach. Plus, the last time LSU traveled to Alabama, Orgeron shared choice words about Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide, sparking a revenge narrative for Alabama. This season in particular, LSU’s offense has been underwhelming, its rushing attack has been largely nonexistent (save for its win over Florida) and its rushing defense was even worse.

But Orgeron didn’t mind any of those facts. He completely believed that LSU should have won the game; he even thought that the Tigers were the better team in a 20-14 loss to Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

“We were having fun,” Orgeron said in his postgame press conference — despite a loss. “We were not going to let this crowd intimidate us. No way that was going to happen. We were coming into this house to win the game, and so was I. So, I was having fun with it. It’s part of college football.”