Nussmeier, Weeks, Delane among notable LSU absences for Texas Bowl

By Hunt Palmer

Bowl season used to be about conference pride, rewarding solid seasons and seldom-seen matchups.

Now, it’s more about who will show up.

LSU will not have its full complement of players for the December 27 Texas Bowl against Houston at NRG Stadium.

Interim head coach Frank Wilson said Tuesday that the Tigers will be without quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, cornerback Mansoor Delane, and linebacker Whit Weeks. Wide receiver Aaron Anderson is “not likely” to play, and center Braelin Moore “has a chance” according to Wilson.

All five players dealt with nagging injuries much of the season.

Nussmeier’s absence means Michael Van Buren will get his fourth consecutive start at quarterback for the Tigers. He’ll have an opportunity to audition for new head coach Lane Kiffin who Wilson said is present in the operations building while allowing the remaining LSU staff to finish the season.

“He’s here early in the morning. He’s here late in the evening,” Wilson said of Kiffin. “Evaluating, communicating, everything from roster management to things that will be necessary as he assembles his full staff. There’s constant evaluating of the organization in totality. I can’t tell you what he’s looking for, what he’s not looking for. But he’s present and doing a great job.”

Among the healthy players on the roster who may opt out of the bowl game, Wilson mentioned edge rusher Jack Pyburn as a maybe. It sounds like defensive tackle Ahmad Breaux, who was reported to be entering the transfer portal on Monday, plans to finish the season with the team.

Jelani Watkins, Kylan Billiot, Ashton Stamps and Wallace Foster are also reported entrants, but no public declaration of their bowl intentions has been made.

LSU begins training for the game on Tuesday with the first on-field practice coming Thursday.