By Hunt Palmer
LSU made a quarterback change Saturday. Entering Arkansas week, that change doesn’t appear permanent.
Senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier gave way to sophomore Michael Van Buren in the third quarter at Alabama. As Arkansas preparation begins, Van Buren is not entrenched as the starter.
“As of now, nothing has drastically changed in how we have flowed outside of the fact, like last week, I’ll say to you that we’re going to use everything that we have, and both of those guys will play this game,” said interim head coach Frank Wilson.
Nussmeier has not found the rhythm that allowed him to throw for better than 4,000 yards as a junior and help pace the Tigers to an offense that finished fifth in yards per game in the Southeastern Conference last season.
With three games remaining, LSU ranks 14th in the league this year and 98th nationally in scoring offense.
Van Buren was only able to produce one field goal Saturday which was set up by a turnover forced by the LSU defense. However, the Mississippi State transfer offers a greater threat running the ball.
“I think it makes them account for him in that you have to keep integrity in your rush lanes as a defensive line in pursuit,” Wilson said. “I think it makes you have another defender to account for him if he does get through the first level. Because if not, then it becomes a tremendous gain, a huge gain. As opposed to that person being in coverage. So, I think there’ s tremendous validity to having a guy who can extend plays with his legs. And then you have designed quarterback runs that you have to account for.”
Van Buren and Nussmeier will take practice reps this week. As LSU searches for offensive answers, every option will be explored.
“We’re not out on anything,” Wilson said. “They’re both imperfect…They both brought something to the table that helped this team to go up and down the field. They both have things that they need to continue to work on, as well. So, I don’t think it’s a clear separation where one is beyond the other. We need both of them, and I know we’ll use both of them in this game.”
Arkansas enters Saturday’s game ranked 125 of 136 teams in scoring defense. That should allow either quarterback some success. However, that success may be required as Taylen Green and the Hogs boast a top 10 total offense that scores 35 points per game.
“We’ll have to score touchdowns in this game,” Wilson said. “That will have to happen. That’s a non-negotiable because (Arkansas) can score.”
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