Brian Kelly is focusing on LSU football’s Citrus Bowl prep against Purdue while keeping an eye on the NCAA transfer portal this week as the Tigers’ busiest month begins before their final game. LSU lost to Georgia in Saturday’s SEC Championship and has now suffered consecutive defeats for the first time this fall.
“We would love to get back to winning ways,” Kelly said. “We have lost two games, obviously to the No. 1 team in the country this past weekend. But again, you know, playing Purdue, a team that won their side of the Big Ten, have a lot of respect for Jeff. His times play with an edge. Played them when I was at Notre Dame. He’s got a great, creative offense.”
LSU is in danger of falling out of the top 25 with a loss to the Boilermakers, who also suffered a setback in the Big Ten title game over the weekend against playoff-bound Michigan.
Here is what Kelly said about LSU’s bowl expectations, quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier, and the Tigers’ portal plans this week.
OPENING STATEMENT (CONTINUED)
“Really good defensive structure and it will be a great matchup between two teams that want to go out on a winning note. Have had good year, but we want them to be years that finish on a positive note. Excited about being back in Orlando, seeing some old friends. Really appreciate this opportunity to play in this game and certainly against a Big Ten team that’s so well-coached by (Boilermakers head) coach (Jeff) Brohm.”
ON LSU, PLAYERS POTENTIALLY ACADEMICALLY-INELIGIBLE
“We’ll have that all sorted out in 24, 48 hours. Indeed, you don’t worry about academics for just one day. We have been on it since we got here. Every day has been working to improve who we are academically and how we do things on a day-to-day basis. It’s not like, hey, the season is over; let’s worry about the guys in the classroom.
“I am in every meeting every week when it comes to academics. Our staff is aware of that. So could there be somebody ineligible? There might be. We have some guys that have to continue to do some things at the end here, but we have made great strides there, and I feel really good about the progress we have made academically with the guys recognizing the value of a degree from LSU.
“And then there are guys that are evaluating whether they should be playing in a Bowl game or should they be working out and preparing for an All-Star Game or should they be preparing to get better for a combine run. Look, those are all things that we’ll help and counsel our guys with, and we’ll give them both sides of the story. Is it better to practice and prepare and work on your skill development as you kind of get ready for an East-West Shrine Game or a Senior Bowl; is that better than trying to run a 40? We’ll give them all that information. And then, ultimately, it’s their choice. We’ll support them in whatever choice they, in fact, make.”
ON GARRETT NUSSMEIER’S PERFORMANCE AGAINST GEORGIA
“I thought Garrett did some good things. He’s a guy that has a strong arm. Sees the field well. Fit the ball into some tight windows. You know, he made some mistakes, as well, which clearly are areas that he’ll have to improve on. But I think going in and doing what we thought he was capable of, I hope he leaves there in this experience with a lot of confidence that he can go in and lead our football team to championships because that’s how we felt about him.
“You know, I think I was on record saying that we have got two really good quarterbacks and if Jayden couldn’t play, we believed in Garrett. Please go to the audio tape; we could win with Garrett. I think he did a really nice job. There’s some things we have to clean up, but he’s a good quarterback, too.”
