Brian Kelly revealed the critical fixes to LSU Tigers' offensive woes following win over Vanderbilt
Fresh off of three straight losses the LSU Tigers completely fixed their offense in their 24-17 win over Vanderbilt. How did they do it? Besides the cop out answer of, "Well, they played Vanderbilt"–which doesn't really apply this season–there were some critical fixes that Brian Kelly highlighted in his post-game press conference with the media.First […]
Fresh off of three straight losses the LSU Tigers completely fixed their offense in their 24-17 win over Vanderbilt. How did they do it? Besides the cop out answer of, "Well, they played Vanderbilt"–which doesn't really apply this season–there were some critical fixes that Brian Kelly highlighted in his post-game press conference with the media.
First off, since it had been an issue all year long, Kelly talked through the huge improvements in the run game and how that came to be:
"A lot of it had to do with certainly the offensive line and getting great movement up front, but more importantly it was Garrett Nussmeier. He managed the running game as well as he's managed it since he's been here. The ball had to get out on the perimeter sometimes. Those balls that were thrown out on the perimeter to Aaron Anderson or [CJ] Daniels, and even [Kyren] Lacy late, those were run plays. We were getting overloaded [in the tackle box] and the ball needs to get out to the soft corner or to wherever that access is, and [Nussmeier] did a fabulous job with it."
Fans might not always think of attributing the run game success to the quarterback, but it makes sense when you think about it. Garrett Nussmeier was checking out of run plays when he needed to so LSU could avoid negative run plays all game long. LSU only logged one carry via running back that might have counted as a negative play throughout the entire matchup against Vanderbilt.
Those critical decisions made by Nussmeier throughout the game not only made sure that the team didn't endure negative rushing plays, but in many cases set the offense up for a big gain in the passing game too.
Obviously the running game involves more than just the quarterback though, so Brian Kelly made sure to give ample credit where it was due with his veteran running back, Josh Williams. The six-year LSU Tigers stud has been with the team since the 2019 National Championship season, so it was great to see him post the best game of his career.
"[Josh Williams] ran through the face of a number of defenders. It was physicality. It was 'want to'. It was desire. It was all those things in one. It was just a guy that was committed to, 'no matter what, the first guy's not going to bring me down.' And he set a tone for our entire team."
Kelly went on to express just how much Williams' leadership was felt this past week as he stepped up and shared in front of the team, hoping to rally a roster that needed to focus if they were going to find any success the rest of the way this season.
Williams opened up on more of what he shared with the team this week in his post-game interview as well (as you can see in the post below).
"I love LSU with all my heart. I'm definitely a Tiger for life..I explained to the team, 'Hey this stuff goes by fast. Been in college for six years. I probably played three or four years. And it felt like it was just yesterday that we won the [national championship]. So take advantage of everything, and every opportunity that you get because it goes by like that.'"
Williams has been a leader all season long, even when taking a back seat to a true freshman running back Caden Durham at times. He exemplifies everything that LSU Tigers football players should be. It's not wonder he put up 151 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in the win over Vanderbilt.
Now that key leaders like Garrett Nussmeier and Josh Williams are stepping up, fixing both the run and pass game, LSU should be able to finish strong next week against Oklahoma and in whatever bowl game they play in here soon. Let's hope that sparks momentum that carries on into next season too.
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