QB Michael Van Buren will get first start for LSU vs. Arkansas

With Garrett Nussmeier’s injury in practice this week and lingering struggles with his upper body, sophomore quarterback Michael Van Buren is set to get his first start of the season on Saturday afternoon against Arkansas in Tiger Stadium, On3’s Pete Nakos reported Friday night.

Interim head coach Frank Wilson indicated that Nussmeier aggravated his torso injury at practice this week and placed him on the injury report as probable initially, but that was quickly downgraded to questionable.

“It’s a little bit concerning,” Wilson said on Thursday. “It’s something we need to watch with him heading into the game.”

Wilson already showed that he was willing to make the change, benching Nussmeier in the second half against Alabama and playing Van Buren for the remainder of the game. This week, Wilson said Van Buren had a strong week of practice after seeing his first game action. Prior to transferring to LSU this offseason, Van Buren started double-digit games as a true freshman at Mississippi State during the 2024 season.

LSU’s offense has a litany of issues and it doesn’t appear any were fixed from the firing of offensive coordinator Joe Sloan along with head coach Brian Kelly, but the move to Van Buren at least shows a push to try to find answers in the final weeks of the season.

For Van Buren, this will be the fourth game that he has played this season and if he plays in one of the final two regular season games, he will burn his redshirt and enter next year as a true junior. In limited action this year, Van Buren is 18-of-27 for 224 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions as a passer. The threat with his legs is what is enticing and gives hope that he can revitalize this LSU offense on Saturday vs. Arkansas.

After the game against Alabama, Wilson assessed his performance, highlighting the one fumble he had in the fourth quarter as a play he’d like back.

“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.”

Will Nussmeier sit for the remainder of the season? That remains to be seen. For Van Buren, this is a chance to show how far he’s come in the past calendar year since starting at Mississippi State. He transferred to LSU with the hope of growing his game and potentially redshirting. but the opportunity to shine in the purple and gold is too much to pass up on.