Everything LSU Football Coach Brian Kelly Said: South Alabama Press Conference – Sept. 23, 2024

LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly addresses the media at his weekly press conference. Prior to coach Kelly taking the podium (~12 p.m. CT), Voice of the Tigers Chris Blair and Sideline Reporter Gordy Rush recap the victory over UCLA and preview Saturday’s 6:45 p.m. CT kickoff vs. South Alabama in Tiger Stadium (SEC Network).

Brian Kelly – Press Conference 9/23/24

Opening remarks –

• Injury report – Perkins knee injury, out for season
• Mentions players stepping in:
• Emery -> Durham
• Guillory -> Breaux

UCLA win

• “mental mistakes” defensively
• Happy w/ offense
• 2^nd half performances – good to build off of

Highlights

• Nussmeier – SEC offensive player of the week
• Swinson – SEC Lineman of the week
• M. Taylor – receiving yards record
• Spec. Teams – Ramos, Thomas

S. Alabama

      –    App State road win

      –    Outstanding freshman players

      –    Aggressive defense

      –    team “with nothing to lose”

Q1 – Peoples? Defense?

• Peoples – good job of utilizing players’ diversity
• Shand, Reliford, Womack improvement
• Suggs “back in the mix”

Q2 – Loss of Perkins?

• Losing him as a big threat
• Feel bad for the individual, but not losing team identity
• “10 other players make it happen”

Q3 – Shifting to replace Perkins?

• Whit Weeks next up
• Major Burns at star
• Have versatility for different structures

Q4 – Seeing progress you want to see?

• Big play runs – unacceptable
• Mental mistakes
• Can live with competitive plays
• On the right path defensively

Q5 – Buffalo vs Star package?

• 3 LB’s vs putting nickel in
• Formation-driven

Q6 – Freshman LB’s?

• Developing at the pace they should be
• Much more football ahead – “welcome to the SEC”

Q7 – Safeties?

• Great communication
• Leverage on the football
• Short tackling

Q8 – Swinson breakout?

• Takes coaching and a committed player

Q9 – S. Alabama offense?

• Mentions QB, RB, scheme
• Solid offensive line
• Well-coached

Q10 – Perkins – draft-eligible – last game at LSU?

• Too early for those decisions

Q11 – Zy Alexander? CB position?

• Listed as questionable
• Have flexibility and depth at CB

Q12 – Z. Thomas?

• “I like the way he plays the game”
• “plays like a veteran”
• Certain amount of recklessness, confidence

Q13 – Matched w/ Applewhite in the past?

• No, but has gotten to know well

Q14 – Kyle Parker?

• Needed a breakout play
• “one of the worst dances in the end-zone I have ever seen”

Q15 – Ability to spread the ball around?

• Can’t focus on one guy (an “alpha”)
• “Difficult to defend us”
• Comprehensive passing game
• Need Hilton back