Why LSU Football Benched Garrett Nussmeier and Chose Michael Van Buren Against Alabama
LSU football interim head coach Frank Wilson made a bold decision during Saturday night’s game against Alabama, opting to bench senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and give sophomore Michael Van Buren his chance to lead the offense.
Wilson’s Reasoning
“As we discussed as a staff, we knew there could be opportunities in the quarterback run game,” Wilson said after the game. “(Alabama) would make it more difficult sitting in the pocket. We wanted to move (Van Buren) around and do some things. I thought that he gave us a chance to do those things. That went into the thought.”
The decision came midway through the third quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium with LSU trailing 17–6. Wilson’s goal was to adjust the offensive approach, seeking greater mobility and unpredictability against Alabama’s defensive scheme.
Van Buren’s Impact on the Game
When Van Buren entered the game with 6:26 remaining in the third quarter, he led the Tigers to a field goal after linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. forced a fumble from Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. That drive cut the deficit to 17–9, giving LSU brief momentum.
However, those turned out to be LSU’s final points of the night. The fourth-ranked Crimson Tide held off the Tigers to secure a 20–9 victory, leaving LSU with a 5–4 overall record and 2–4 mark in SEC play.
Summary
Frank Wilson’s quarterback switch was driven by a desire to add mobility and energy to LSU’s offense but ultimately wasn’t enough to change the outcome against Alabama.
Author’s resume: Frank Wilson’s gutsy midgame quarterback change reflected a tactical move toward a more dynamic offense, though it fell short against Alabama’s strong defense.