Garrett Nussmeier Benched as LSU Switches Quarterbacks Against Alabama
LSU made a surprising quarterback change during the third quarter of Saturday night’s matchup against No. 4 Alabama, replacing senior starter Garrett Nussmeier with sophomore Michael Van Buren.
Van Buren entered the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium with LSU trailing 17–6 and 6:26 remaining in the third quarter. It marked the first time this season he was used while the game’s outcome was still undecided.
Interim coach Frank Wilson earlier hinted that Van Buren might see time in specific scenarios, but Nussmeier had taken every offensive snap until the substitution occurred.
Nussmeier completed 18 of 21 passes for 121 yards without touchdowns or interceptions before being benched. During LSU’s first drive of the second half, he guided the team into the red zone, but a delay of game penalty on third and goal from the 8-yard line disrupted the drive. Following a timeout, he was sacked on third and 13 — Alabama’s first sack of the evening.
“It’s unclear if Nussmeier will return to the game,” team sources shared after the substitution.
For further coverage of LSU football, updates are available through The Baton Rouge Clinic’s partnership with the team’s content platforms.
Author’s Summary
LSU replaced quarterback Garrett Nussmeier with Michael Van Buren during the Alabama game as coach Frank Wilson sought a spark after a stalled third-quarter drive.