Tag: ReliaQuest Bowl

Brian Kelly says Joe Sloan, Cortez Hankton will be considered for open offensive coordinator position

Brian Kelly said current staff will receive “strong consideration” for the Tigers’ open offensive coordinator job.

As LSU prepares for the ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin, it also has an open staff position to fill.

Offensive coordinator [autotag]Mike Denbrock[/autotag] recently departed to take the same role at Notre Dame, and he will not be with the team in Tampa on Jan. 1. In his stead, quarterbacks coach [autotag]Joe Sloan[/autotag] and receivers coach/passing game coordinator [autotag]Cortez Hankton[/autotag] will serve as interim co-offensive coordinators, sharing play-calling duties.

On Wednesday, coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said that current staff will have “strong consideration” for the offensive coordinator position, per 247Sports’ Glen West. That would seemingly imply that both Sloan and Hankton have the chance to earn the job with this game, though there could also be outside candidates.

Sloan has play-calling experience having served as the offensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech previously. Hankton does not, though he has served as passing game coordinator both at LSU and for a national title-winning Georgia team.

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NEW: Mekhi Wingo will reportedly play vs. Wisconsin in ReliaQuest Bowl

Mekhi Wingo missed the final five games after undergoing surgery for a lower-body injury.

Though LSU will be without its star quarterback [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. 1 against Wisconsin, the team will be getting a major boost on defense.

Defensive tackle [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag] will make his return to the field against the Badgers, coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] told On3’s Shea Dixon on Wednesday. One of the most impactful players on that side of the ball, Wingo missed the final five games of the season after undergoing surgery for a lower-body injury suffered against Auburn.

Wingo said at the time that he would return for the College Football Playoff, and even with the Tigers falling short of that goal, he will make his way back to the field for the postseason.

Wingo has yet to announce a draft decision. In seven games this fall, he totaled 22 tackles (three for loss) and 2.5 sacks.

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LOOK: LSU shows off new Nike cleats for bowl game

The Tigers will be breaking out some new kicks for the postseason.

When LSU takes on Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. 1, it will do so in some new kicks. The Tigers shared the clean purple Nike Flywire cleats they will be debuting against the Badgers, dubbing them a “Christmas present.”

LSU is looking to reach the 10-win threshold for the second year in a row after finishing the regular season 9-3. Though the Tigers won’t have Heisman winner [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag], paving the way for the [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] era to begin, the rest of the active roster is expected to be available.

Wisconsin went 7-5 this season in the first campaign under new coach Luke Fickell.

The Tigers kick off their postseason contest at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa at 11 a.m. CT with the game being televised on ESPN2.

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Report: OT Lance Heard did not travel with LSU to ReliaQuest Bowl

Lance Heard appeared in 12 games as a true freshman this season, recording one start.

LSU made its way down to Tampa on Tuesday for a New Year’s Day matchup against Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl, but it will be without a key reserve on its offensive line.

Offensive tackle [autotag]Lance Heard[/autotag] did not make the trip, according to On3’s Shea Dixon. The reasoning behind it is unclear, especially as coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said he expected everyone from the final week of the regular season to be available aside from quarterback [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag], who opted out of the game.

A former five-star recruit from Monroe, Heard appeared in all 12 games this season, notching one start at right tackle against Army.

Heard is a promising talent and was expected to compete for a starting role, so if this is a sign he intends to enter the transfer portal, it would be a major loss for LSU.

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What should LSU fans expect from Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton calling the plays?

Here’s some background info on LSU’s play-callers for the bowl game.

With [autotag]Mike Denbrock[/autotag] off to Notre Dame, [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] promoted [autotag]Joe Sloan[/autotag] and [autotag]Cortez Hankton[/autotag] as interim co-offensive coordinators for LSU’s bowl meeting with Wisconsin.

Sloan and Hankton have strong resumes, which could make them both candidates for the full-time job.

Sloan already served as a full-time FBS coordinator while at Louisiana Tech. Hankton has served as LSU’s passing game coordinator for the last two seasons, after having a similar role on a national championship-winning Georgia team.

Today, we’ll look at some of their tendencies to see what LSU fans can expect in the bowl game, or if they take over the full-time job moving forward.

With [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] taking over, we were likely to see some changes in the offense anyway, but let’s dive right in.

These 5 LSU players are poised for big performances in the ReliaQuest Bowl

With the bowl not counting against redshirts, some young players will get the chance to step up.

LSU will be taking on the Wisconsin Badgers in the ReliaQuest Bowl on January 1st. We will get a chance to take a look at the future of the program as this game does not count towards burning a redshirt for any freshmen on the team.

Five guys who I think could have a big game against the Badgers are [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag], [autotag]Whit Weeks[/autotag], [autotag]Shelton Sampson Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]DaShawn Womack[/autotag] and [autotag]Kaleb Jackson[/autotag]. Those are five guys that are the future of LSU football and they are all poised for a breakout game.

Let’s take a closer look at the five aforementioned players.

LOOK: Badgers updated depth chart ahead of ReliaQuest Bowl

Wisconsin’s updated depth chart for bowl game

The Badgers football team is set to face LSU in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 1 and they have released an updated depth chart. With the departures of many of the team’s starters from their 7-5 regular season, including running back Braelon Allen (NFL Draft) and linebacker Jordan Turner (transferred to Michigan State), some new players will get a shot.

Notably, true freshman wide receiver Trech Kekahuna will get his first shot to start, helping replace wideouts Chimere Dike (transferred to Florida) and Skyler Bell (in transfer portal).

Jake Renfro will replace Tanor Bortolini (NFL Draft) at starting center for the first time this year after transferring to Wisconsin from Cincinnati before the season.

The Badgers have won three bowl games in a row and they’ll look to make it four straight against the Tigers.

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LSU announces co-offensive coordinators for ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin

LSU will turn to Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton to run the offense against Wisconsin.

LSU will be without its offensive coordinator in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin on Jan. 1 as it was reported Friday that offensive coordinator [autotag]Mike Denbrock[/autotag] would be leaving to take the same role at Notre Dame.

With Denbrock moving on before the bowl game, LSU will turn to interim co-offensive coordinators for the matchup. Quarterbacks coach [autotag]Joe Sloan[/autotag] and passing game coordinator/receivers coach [autotag]Cortez Hankton[/autotag] will serve as co-coordinators for that matchup, and it will be interesting to see if LSU ultimately opts to promote from within after that unit’s success over the last two seasons, especially in 2023.

Both Sloan and Hankton have played a major role in that success between the development of Heisman winner [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] and a loaded receiver room.

“I’m confident in Cortez and Joe’s ability to run the offense,” [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said in a release. “They will collaborate in the passing game and work with Brad (Davis) and Frank (Wilson) in the running game. They will execute a great game plan for us. They are a cohesive group of coaches and I’m excited about this opportunity for them. I know they will do a good job.”

The Tigers will take on the Badgers on Jan. 1 in Tampa.

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How LSU fared in its last five bowl games

Here’s how LSU fared in its last five bowl games, which includes two NY6 wins and a national title.

LSU’s bowl game is fast approaching. In 10 days, toe will meet leather in Tampa Bay as LSU meets Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

It will be LSU’s third time in this bowl game, but first time under its current name. It was founded as the Hall of Fame Bowl, in which LSU played in 1988. Then it was the Outback Bowl, where LSU appeared in 2013.

LSU’s fared well in the postseason lately, with the Tigers winning six of their last eight bowl games. That span includes a Peach Bowl win and a national title.

Here’s how LSU fared in its last five bowl games.

The biggest question facing LSU and Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl

It will be a preview of 2024 for both teams in several ways.

When LSU takes the field in Tampa on Jan. 1, it will in many ways be a preview of the 2024 season.

The Tigers will have some players who are departing available, likely including [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag], but [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] is opting out. That clears the way for [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] to make his first career start under center.

ESPN’s Bill Connelly recently broke down the biggest question in each bowl game, and he grouped the ReliaQuest Bowl matchup against Wisconsin among the teams for which this will essentially be the first game of 2024.

Here’s his full breakdown of the matchup.

The Wisconsin skill corps has been hit hard by both opt-outs (RB Braelon Allen) and transfers, but we’re still waiting to find out about LSU’s Heisman winner Jayden Daniels and star receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas. It would be a welcome surprise if any of them played.

It’s certainly a tough one to predict with what both teams will be missing, but the Tigers should be close to full strength heading into this game aside from Daniels as [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] has said the team doesn’t expect additional opt-outs.

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