Frank Wilson explains benching LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier

LSU benched Garrett Nussmeier in the third quarter Saturday night in the Tigers’ 20-9 loss to Alabama, making the move to put in second-year player Michael Van Buren.

Nussmeier had 121 yards on 18-of-21 passing with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions in the two quarters and one drive in the third that he played. Nussmeier was benched after taking a sack on third down in the redzone and pushing his team back to the brink of field goal range. After the play, Wilson was shown barking at the fifth-year senior.

After the game, interim head coach Frank Wilson commented on the decision to bench Nussmeier.

“As we discussed as a staff, we knew there could be opportunities in the quarterback run game and then at the back end, as they tried to bring pressure, they would make it difficult to just sit in the pocket,” Wilson said. “We tried to move him around and he gave us a chance to do some things. We thought he gave us a chance to do those things, so that went into the decision.”

Michael Van Buren stepped in and was not the solution to all of LSU’s problems, but at least had flashes of providing a spark. He ended the game with 52 yards on 5-of-11 passing with runs of five , four, nine, and three yards, but he also took two sacks and was stripped in the fourth quarter to seal the win for Alabama.

“I thought he was solid,” Wilson said. “There were some things that were obvious, like pushing the pocket and stepping up and making passes. He was able to escape and pick up first downs with his legs. I’d like him to have two hands on the ball when he’s in the pocket, so he doesn’t get that one swatted away, but I thought he did a good job.”

Van Buren had a fine showing, but the overall ineptitude of the offense was too much to overcome and LSU finished the game without a touchdown despite four trips to the redzone.

Nussmeier has been with the LSU program since 2021 and in his fifth season, the program has eroded around him and he;s failed to live up to expectations as a preseason Heisman favorite. He was not making the back-breaking plays with turnovers, but was unable to make key plays to help his team win the game and therefore Wilson made the move.

“I thought he did some good things early on,” Wilson said. “We moved him out of the pocket and he started the game off extremely well. As we went into the depth of the game, we just thought it ws an opportunity for us to change up and throw their defense off. I don’t know if it was anything he did so bad, we just thought it was an advantage with what Michael can give us.”