Kelly names LSU's potential starter at left guard vs. South Carolina

On Wednesday night, LSU’s starting left guard, Paul Mubenga, was listed as doubtful for the Tigers’ game against South Carolina on Saturday night. Mubenga has been dealing with a high ankle sprain the past two weeks and it appears it will be sidelining him against the Gamecocks.

Fortunately, the Tigers gave a few viable options for the position and LSU has been testing out different combinations throughout the week. One name has gotten the most first-team reps lately, and that’s Coen Echols, a redshirt freshman interior offensive lineman.

“Right now, Coen Echols has gotten most of the reps there when Paul hasn’t been in, and we have a lot of confidence in him,” Kelly said. “Carious Curne is repping there as well. If Paul can’t go, and he’s doubtful, that’ll be the two-man rotation. If Coen’s handling it well, we’ll see how it goes Saturday. Both are ready to play.”

Mubenga has had his fair share of struggles as the starter for LSU so far this year, but Echols and others have failed to impress in their snaps as well, leaving Mubenga in that spot. Right tackle Weston Davis has also struggled this year but it appears he’s in line to start once again after Curne started against Ole Miss.

The offense as a whole has work to do and it starts with the offensive line’s performance on Saturday. the Gamecocks have a few explosive defensive linemen, headlined by star defensive end Dylan Stewart. Last year, the Tigers were unable to block them in a narrow win on the road, but now the hope is the bye week has allowed them to take the necessary step forward this season.

From the health of wide receiver Aaron Anderson and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier to the execution of the running game, there are ample questions about this LSU offense and Kelly is optimistic that the offense is going to be able to play its best game of the season on Saturday.

“I think I’ve made it pretty clear we have to be more consistent offensively,” Kelly said. “We have to be more productive. It’s been on again, off again. It needs to be much more consistent in its performance. That’s where our offense needs to be. Is it going to be on Saturday? I hope so. But I know the process and the work we’re doing. Nothing’s up for discussion. We’re looking at every facet of our offense to be more consistent and have a more balanced approach.”

LSU kicks off against South Carolina at 6:45 p.m. CT in Tiger Stadium on SEC Network, looking to improve on the 4-1 start to the season.

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