LSU Makes Closing Resolution on QB Garrett Nussmeier Earlier than Arkansas Sport

[ad_1] Hours earlier than kickoff on Saturday, LSU introduced a large change underneath heart: sophomore switch Michael Van Buren Jr. will get his first begin of the season towards Arkansas, changing senior Garrett Nussmeier, per On3's Pete Nakos.

Nussmeier was first listed as questionable after a string of restricted observe periods attributable to an stomach concern, earlier than being downgraded on Friday evening.

Van Buren has appeared in three video games this 12 months, finishing 66.7% of his passes for 224 yards, two touchdowns, and nil interceptions, together with 24 dashing yards and a dashing landing.

LSU has alternated seems to be in current weeks, and with the season already astray, the employees seems keen to pivot.

The transfer fingers the Tigers’ offense to a younger, dual-threat QB who has proven flashes in reduction however not but been examined as LSU’s full-time starter.

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Since arriving in 2021, Nussmeier has accomplished 64% of his passes for 7,699 yards and 52 touchdowns throughout his profession, together with a breakout 2024 marketing campaign wherein he threw for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns with a 142.7 passer score.

By means of Week 12 of this season, nevertheless, he has simply 1,927 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions with a 67.4% completion charge — environment friendly total however inconsistent in key moments.

Van Buren transferred to LSU after beginning eight video games as a real freshman at Mississippi State within the 2024 school soccer season, when he threw for 1,886 yards and 11 TDs and added 5 dashing TDs.

A cultured four-star high-school recruit from St. Frances Academy, Van Buren exhibits added explosiveness outdoors of the pocket. He has additionally already logged two 300-yard outings in his school profession, together with a 309-yard effort versus Arkansas on Oct. 26, 2024, with two scores, two picks, and a 71% completion charge.

<img id="11053393" alt="LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier." caption="Garrett Nussmeier #18 of the LSU Tigers warms up prior to facing the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama." src="Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="5696" height="4000" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" style="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 1024px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2246728005.jpg?w=640&quality=75&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2246728005.jpg?w=750&quality=75&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2246728005.jpg?w=1000&quality=75&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2246728005.jpg?w=1200&quality=75&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2246728005.jpg?w=1360&quality=75&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2246728005.jpg?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2246728005.jpg?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1"/> Learn Extra: LSU Urged to Make Garrett Nussmeier Resolution After Alabama Loss

Arkansas arrives in Baton Rouge with a 2-7 document however an offense able to bursts; dropped 35 factors on Ole Miss on Sept. 13, 31 factors versus Tennessee on Oct. 11, and 42 factors towards Texas A&M on Oct. 18.

The Razorbacks even have undergone teaching upheaval this season, and their protection has proven delicate spots {that a} faster, extra improvisational quarterback may exploit.

If Van Buren can shield the soccer and maintain drives, the Tigers may stabilize offensively and claw again momentum in a season most followers would favor to place behind them.