LSU to play several underclassmen, including Myles Brennan, against Rice “if the opportunity affords itself”

It’ll be Senior Night at Tiger Stadium when LSU takes on Rice this Saturday, but with the Tigers installed as a 44-point favorite against a 1-10 team, the attention could shift to the underclassmen if the game goes as the oddsmakers predict.

LSU coach Ed Orgeron has acknowledged throughout the week that he’d like to get some inexperienced players in the game if the opportunity presents itself. That includes sophomore quarterback Myles Brennan, who has set to see the field this season.

Thanks to the NCAA’s new redshirt rule, which took effect this season, players can participate in up to four games and still receive a redshirt, preserving a year of eligibility. Brennan, among others, fit into that category.

“I’d like to see our young defensive line play,” Orgeron said. “I’d like to see Myles play. All the young receivers that haven’t played. All the young guys that haven’t played. I’d like to give them a chance. There’s several guys we can play and still redshirt. If the opportunity affords itself, I’d like to see those guys play.”

There was a time this season when the staff wanted to put Brennan in a game, Orgeron said earlier this week, but the decision was made not to. The young quarterback dealt with a minor injury for much of this season, according to the coach, though he could have played if starter Joe Burrow went down.

Brennan is now completely healthy, Orgeron said, and Saturday could be his chance to show what he’s been working on behind the scenes.

“He’s been good,” Orgeron said. “I think he’s developed a lot under (LSU offensive coordinator) Steve (Ensminger). I talked to him the other day. He said he’s learned a lot this year and gotten better at his fundamentals. Again, for most of the year, he’s been nursing a minor injury, but I do believe if called upon (Saturday) night, he’s ready to play and do well.”

Brennan finished second to Burrow in a fall camp quarterback competition after backing up Danny Etling last season. He appeared in six games in that role, completing 14-of-24 passes for 182 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

PERSONNEL NOTES

• Freshman cornerback Kelvin Joseph is “very questionable” and isn’t expected to play against Rice, Orgeron said. Joseph tweeted earlier this week that he was dealing with a hamstring injury. With Kristian Fulton out, Joseph’s absence would mean additional playing time for Kary Vincent, Terrence Alexander and Mannie Netherly.
• Orgeron said earlier this week that freshman running back Chris Curry would redshirt, meaning he won’t play again this season. Asked who could see carries if Nick Brossette, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Burrow are pulled late, Orgeron offered this: “We’ll have a little surprise.”