Tag: ReliaQuest Bowl

Everything Brian Kelly said after LSU’s ReliaQuest Bowl comeback win over Wisconsin

Brian Kelly secured his second-straight 10-win finish as the coach at LSU on Monday.

LSU didn’t elevate to a College Football Playoff level in 2023, but it ended the season on a high note with a 35-31 comeback win — the largest in program history — to beat Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa.

With [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] opting out, [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] made the first start in his three-year LSU career. After a slow start for the offense, Nussmeier ultimately impressed, throwing for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns.

[autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] was the star in the passing game as [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] sat most of the contest, but he did play long enough to break LSU’s all-time career receiving yards record, previously held by [autotag]Josh Reed[/autotag].

As [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] ended his second season by reaching the 10-win threshold once again, here’s everything he said addressing the media after the victory.

10 takeaways from LSU’s 2023 football season

From Jayden Daniels to a lackluster defense, these 10 stories defined the 2023 LSU football season.

LSU’s 2023 football season is in the books.

For the second year in a row, the Tigers have notched double-digit wins under [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag]. It’s the first time LSU’s accomplished that feat since doing it in 2018 and 2019. Before that, you’d have to go back a decade, to 2012 and 2013.

And while reaching that 10-win mark is significant, LSU left something to be desired this year after beginning the year ranked No. 5. There are a lot of questions surrounding the program as Kelly enters year three, but there’s a lot to be optimistic about too.

Here are 10 takeaways from LSU’s season as we enter the new year.

Reactions as Garrett Nussmeier leads LSU past Wisconsin in ReliaQuest Bowl

The Tigers trailed 14-0 early, but they ultimately survived a wild one against the Badgers.

[autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] made the first start of his LSU career on Monday in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin, and while it took the offense a bit to get going, Nussmeier ultimately lived up to expectations.

He threw for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns, leading what ultimately proved to be a 98-yard game-winning scoring drive as LSU survived a shootout to win 35-31.

[autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] broke the all-time school receiving yards record, and we got a sneak peek at what the offense could look like in 2024 as interim offensive coordinators [autotag]Joe Sloan[/autotag] and [autotag]Cortez Hankton[/autotag] called a good game.

Here’s how the internet reacted as the Tigers ended the season on a high note.

Wisconsin starting wide receiver to return for senior season

Wisconsin starting wide receiver to return for senior season

Wisconsin starting wide receiver Bryson Green confirmed to reporters after the Badgers’ 35-31 loss to LSU in the ReliaQuest Bowl that he will return to Wisconsin next season.

The former Oklahoma State wideout and college veteran has one year of eligibility remaining, though technically would’ve been eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft had that been an attractive path. Then with the current state of the transfer portal, there’s never total assurance that veteran contributors will return.

Green caught 25 passes for 375 yards and one touchdown during the regular season, then added seven catches for 105 yards and a touchdown during today’s loss to LSU. He figures to be Wisconsin’s top receiving option next season alongside standout Will Pauling. The trio of Green, Pauling and C.J. Williams project to be the top group in year two under Phil Longo.

Wisconsin saw experienced wide receivers Chimere Dike and Skyler Bell enter the portal after the regular season. Retaining Pauling and Green is big for the offense’s prospects in 2024.

Five Takeaways from LSU’s ReliaQuest Bowl win over Wisconsin

Here are five takeaways from LSU’s ReliaQuest Bowl meeting with Wisconsin.

LSU’s year came to an end in Tampa on Monday with LSU beating Wisconsin 35-31 in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

It makes it back-to-back 10-win seasons for [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] to begin his tenure at LSU.

The big story on LSU’s side was [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] taking over the reins at QB with [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] opting out as he moves on to the NFL.

Nussmeier passed the test with flying colors, throwing for nearly 400 yards and leading a 98-yard game-winning drive.

Also of note, [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] added to the record book, setting the program receiving yards record.

Here are five takeaways from LSU’s win.

Instant Analysis: LSU overcomes early deficit to beat Wisconsin in Garrett Nussmeier’s first start

Garrett Nussmeier threw for nearly 400 yards as the Tigers held on to win a ReliaQuest Bowl shootout.

LSU found itself in an early hole against the Wisconsin Badgers in the ReliaQuest Bowl, but after a comeback effort, the Tigers survived to win a 35-31 shootout in Garrett Nussmeier’s first start in an LSU uniform.

The defense was the Achilles heel all season, and it was a rough start on Monday for that unit. The Badgers scored two first-quarter touchdowns to jump out to a 14-0 lead, and LSU gave up 146 yards in the first quarter while its first three drives stalled out.

The Tigers managed to erase that deficit before half, however, with an eight-play, 60-yard touchdown drive that culminated with a handoff to linebacker [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] at the goal line. Nussmeier would lead another scoring drive as [autotag]Kaleb Jackson[/autotag] found the end zone to tie the game with less than 90 seconds to play in the second quarter.

They couldn’t hold that tie, however, allowing a quick go-ahead touchdown drive, and a Nussmeier interception on the ensuing drive gave them a chance to add to the lead, which — fortunately for the Tigers — they were not able to do as the Badgers took a 21-14 lead to the locker room.

LSU gave up a touchdown drive to kick off the third quarter, but the offense responded as Nussmeier found [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] with a 38-yard touchdown pass to give Thomas his 16th score of the year.

After another impressive throw to the corner of the end zone to [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag], the Tigers tied the game at 28.

The Badgers retook the lead with a field goal, but with the quarter winding down, Nussmeier made a couple of big connections to lead the Tigers 98 yards down the field in three minutes to score a go-ahead touchdown with 3:08 to play.

Wisconsin managed to drive all the way down to the LSU 19, but the drive stalled and the offense went backward as the Tigers earned a game-sealing stop on 4th and 25.

Nussmeier had a bit of a slow start, but he settled in very nicely to finish with 395 passing yards and three touchdowns on 31 of 45 passing. His favorite target was [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag], who had eight catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns.

[autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] made the start and set LSU’s career receiving yards record, but he would sit the rest of the game after achieving the record.

Nussmeier gave the Tigers a glimpse at what the future could hold on offense, and it’s bright even with Daniels, Nabers and Thomas heading off to the NFL.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Tanner Mordecai joins former Wisconsin QB Jack Coan with passing mark set against LSU

Tanner Mordecai joins former Wisconsin QB Jack Coan with passing mark set against LSU

Wisconsin quarterback Tanner Mordecai is having a day against LSU. At the time of writing this, the Badgers lead the No. 13-ranked Tigers 31-28 entering the fourth quarter. Mordecai is up to 303 passing yards and three touchdowns on the day, having undoubtedly his best day as a Wisconsin Badger.

Believe it or not, Mordecai today became the first Wisconsin passer with 300+ passing yards since September 7, 2019, when Jack Coan threw for 363 yards against Central Michigan.

There are several more instances of this happening between 2010 and 2019 leading into Coan as a starter, including Joel Stave setting the mark three times and Russell Wilson twice. But from Coan to Mordecai, which included 34 games played by Graham Mertz, the Badgers never had a 300+ yard passer.

Mordecai is ending his short Wisconsin career on a high note today as the program moves into 2024 and welcomes in former Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke as its new signal-caller. Careers aren’t made in bowl games, but Mordecai’s performance today should be applauded for years to come.

WATCH: Wisconsin WR Will Pauling is going off against LSU

WATCH: Wisconsin WR Will Pauling is going off against LSU

As this article is being written, the Wisconsin Badgers currently hold a 28-21 lead over the No. 13 LSU Tigers in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

Yes, many top LSU players including Heisman Trophy winner QB Jayden Daniels opted out of the game. But the Badgers were double-digit underdogs entering the contest, yet might be playing their best game of the season.

One big piece of that is outgoing QB Tanner Mordecai. He is 18/27 for 259 yards and three touchdowns midway through the third quarter. Another bright spot and someone who will be a huge piece of the team next year: wide receiver Will Pauling.

Pauling went off in the first half, catching five passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns.

His burst and explosion made it look like Wisconsin was the SEC power with the nation’s top wide receivers, instead of LSU on the opposing sideline.

 

Wisconsin and LSU have gone back and forth offensively day, making for an entertaining product. For the Badgers going forward, it’s great news big contributors like Pauling look primed for a huge 2024.

LSU true freshman receiver makes a position change

Receiver Khai Prean has moved to cornerback after redshirting in 2023.

Ahead of the ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin, it seems a member of LSU’s 2023 signing class has made a position change.

Receiver [autotag]Khai Prean[/autotag], a former four-star recruit from Saint James, has moved to cornerback. He also changed his jersey number from No. 82 to No. 28.

Prean was listed as an athlete as a recruit, ranking just outside the top 400 nationally. He played on both sides of the ball in high school, and he was listed on LSU’s depth chart as a cornerback ahead of the matchup against the Badgers.

He will take a redshirt this season as he hasn’t appeared in a game, but he could potentially make his debut in the game against the Badgers.

Prean will help provide added depth in 2024 at a position where the Tigers really need it. Outside of veteran [autotag]Zy Alexander[/autotag], the team is likely to rely heavily on young players in the secondary next fall.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

LSU to wear purple jerseys against Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl

The Tigers will wear a gold-purple-gold combination for the first time in two years.

The Tigers will wrap up the 2023 campaign on Monday when they take on Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, and they’ll do so in some alternate threads.

LSU announced that it will be wearing purple jerseys for the game against the Badgers while it will wear gold pants and its typical gold helmet, as well.

The Tigers are looking to finish up the season by picking up win No. 10, and it would mark back-to-back 10-win seasons under [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag]. It will attempt to do so in a uniform combination it hasn’t worn in two years, though it did wear purple jerseys in the win over Georgia State in November.

It will also be just the fourth time the Tigers have worn purple jerseys in a bowl game and the first since 2000.

LSU will face Wisconsin at Raymond James Stadium at 11 a.m. CT on Monday morning.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno