Frank Wilson confirms Garrett Nussmeier will remain LSU's starter, sees value in reps for Michael Van Buren

LSU made a head coaching change last weekend with Frank Wilson taking over as the interim down in Baton Rouge. He isn’t anticipating a quarterback change for them, though, as far as either Garrett Nussmeier or Michael Van Buren Jr..

At his press conference on Monday, Wilson was asked if the Tigers would want to get Van Buren more involved in their game plans. He, at that point, maintained Nussmeier as the starter, but noted their offense’s interest in what Van Buren could do in certain scenarios.

“As far as the quarterback position? As I spoke about, Garrett is our starting quarterback,” said Wilson. “We do think that Michael brings some special things to the table that makes a defense have to defend him as well. And so, we’ll look at the opportunities that present itself to them, for us. And, when they present themselves, we’ll take advantage of it.

This comes in the midst of what’s been a disappointing season for Nussmeier after returning to LSU. He, while battling injuries as well, has posted 65.9% completion for 1,806 passing yards, averaging 225.8 per game, with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. Now, with where this year has gone down in the bayor, Nussmeier will soon be turning his attention to his future in the NFL.

With that, Van Buren is of interest for the program moving forward, especially with how he has played through a pair of appearances this season against Southeastern Louisiana and Texas A&M. He is 13-16 (81.3%) 172 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 23 yards and another score. That includes being 3-4 (75%) for 50 yards and a touchdown during his opportunity on the final drive for their offense to make it a 49-25 loss to the Aggies in their last game.

Nussmeier will continue being the starting quarterback, with four games to go in the season, for LSU. But, based on this, Van Buren could get his chances to be an ever bigger part of the offensive game plan over this final month if the right scenarios come for the Tigers.

Arkansas vs. LSU set for early kickoff on Nov. 15

LSU received its start time and television designation for November 15th against Arkansas, and it will take an adjustment for Tiger fans. The game has been set for 11:45 p.m. CT, and will be televised on the SEC Network.

This weekend, LSU is set to face Alabama in Tuscaloosa. That one is scheduled for a kickoff at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC.