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LSU is a program in transition because it prepares to face Kansas State within the Texas Bowl on Tuesday night time at Houston.
The Tigers (6-6) have an interim head coach, and so they’re nonetheless undecided who will play quarterback in opposition to the Wildcats (7-5) within the closing bowl sport of this season. After Tuesday, solely the CFP Nationwide Championship Sport stays.
LSU offensive line coach Brad Davis is serving as interim head coach, changing Ed Orgeron, who was dismissed on the finish of the common season. New Tigers head coach Brian Kelly has been targeted on hiring his employees, which can embody Davis, in addition to recruiting.
Beginning quarterback Max Johnson has transferred to Texas A&M, and LSU has but to disclose the NCAA’s ruling on the group’s enchantment for freshman Garrett Nussmeier to not lose his redshirt season if he performs within the bowl sport.
“Within the midst of adversity or any uncertainty and issues which have gone on this season round our program, our guys have stayed collectively,” Davis mentioned. “They have not blinked. They merely go on to work. We can’t be a distracted soccer group.”
Nussmeier has performed in 4 video games in aid of Johnson, whose departure left the freshman because the Tigers’ solely scholarship quarterback.
If the enchantment is denied, Davis might flip to walk-on Matt O’Dowd and senior extensive receiver Jontre Kirklin, who was a dual-threat quarterback in highschool. Additionally they have one other walk-on freshman in Tavion Faulk.
“If (the enchantment) had been denied for no matter purpose, now we have some contingencies in place,” Davis mentioned. “We will transfer the soccer and execute our offense.”
LSU additionally might be with out two of its prime defensive gamers, who opted out to concentrate on the NFL draft — linebacker Damone Clark and defensive lineman Neil Farrell Jr.
The Wildcats have averted any opt-outs as they attempt to hand third-year coach Chris Klieman his first bowl victory.
“I do know plenty of these seniors need that final alternative to play collectively,” Klieman mentioned. “It is a close-knit group of men that cares quite a bit about one another and enjoys one another’s firm.”
A number of Kansas State gamers had been simply breaking into this system when the Wildcats misplaced to Navy within the 2019 Liberty Bowl. They did not go to a bowl after ending 4-6 final season.
“There are in all probability loads of guys bummed final season that we did not get to play in a bowl sport,” Klieman mentioned.
Wildcats All-America all-purpose again Deuce Vaughn is trying ahead to the stage supplied by being the final bowl sport of the season.
“Everyone’s going to be watching,” he mentioned.
Like LSU, Kansas State has uncertainty at quarterback and goes via a transition on the teaching employees.
Sixth-year senior quarterback Skylar Thompson got here away with a lower-leg damage late within the season, however is “trending in the correct course” to look within the sport, Klieman mentioned. If Thompson is unavailable, sophomore Will Howard possible will begin.
Klieman lately dismissed offensive coordinator/extensive receivers coach Courtney Messingham and tight ends coach Jason Ray.
Former Wildcats quarterback and present quarterbacks coach Collin Klein will function offensive coordinator in opposition to LSU.
–Subject Stage Media
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