By GLENN GUILBEAU, Tiger Rag Editor
LSU senior starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier did not play in Saturday’s game against Arkansas at Tiger Stadium after re-injuring his abdomen Thursday at practice.
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is not even dressed out and I’ve seen no sign of Colin Hurley. #LSU pic.twitter.com/gUoB1GvHgQ
— Andre Champagne (@andrechampagnee) November 15, 2025
Sophomore transfer backup Michael Van Buren started in the 11:45 a.m. game and misfired badly on his first two throws as LSU fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter. But Van Buren improved drastically to finish 21-of-31 passing for 221 yards and the game-winning, 12-yard touchdown pass to tight end Bauer Sharp with 7:53 left for a 23-22 LSU victory.
LSU wins what is believed to be SEC’s first Interim Bowl to get bowl eligible:https://t.co/FUuRdI7sB3
— Glenn Guilbeau (@SportBeatTweet) November 15, 2025
Van Buren was 12-of-19 passing for 120 yards in the first half as the Tigers took a 16-14 lead into halftime with 13 points in the second quarter on a 27-yard touchdown run by Caden Durham and field goals of 50, 42 and 42 yards by Damian Ramos.
But the question is, who was Van Buren’s backup in the Arkansas game and who will that be for the Tigers (6-4, 3-4 SEC) in their remaining two regular seasons games and bowl should Nussmeier not play again this season?
Talented redshirt freshman Colin Hurley has been listed as LSU’s No. 3 quarterback all season and remains on the roster. But he took a leave of absence from the team’s practices and games for personal reasons several weeks ago, an LSU spokesman confirmed before Saturday’s game.
LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier now questionable for Saturday with abdomen re- injury. And the question now – and after last week – is should he shut it down for the rest of the season? He should. https://t.co/uyHjbIT1jo
— Glenn Guilbeau (@SportBeatTweet) November 15, 2025
So, had Van Buren gone down Saturday, the next LSU quarterback would have likely been sophomore running back Ju’Juan Johnson, who was a spectacular quarterback at Lafayette Christian Academy.
LSU OFFENSE FEATURES 3 PLAYERS ATTEMPTING PASSES IN WIN OVER ARKANSAS
Johnson did complete a 14-yard pass on a gadget play Saturday. And wide receiver Zavion Thomas also attempted a pass on a razzle-dazzle play. Johnson has rushed 30 times for 139 yards and two touchdowns and has 12 catches for 62 yards on the season.
After Johnson? Try true freshman walk-on Emile Picarella of University High in Baton Rouge.
“I couldn’t be more overjoyed for our team.”
— Glenn Guilbeau (@SportBeatTweet) November 16, 2025
-Frank Wilson:https://t.co/Fq9eP29Ex5
Nussmeier was first listed as probable on Thursday when LSU interim coach Frank Wilson announced his injury at a press conference after practice that afternoon. He was downgraded to questionable on Friday via Wilson’s availability report to the Southeastern Conference office.
Garrett Nussmeier’s Year of Living Dangerously reaches new low. The former Heisman favorite was benched. Column:https://t.co/kugZHXdePk
— Glenn Guilbeau (@SportBeatTweet) November 9, 2025
Nussmeier originally strained his abdomen in August and played through the pain in the Tigers’ five games before it had time to heal somewhat during the Tigers open week after the Sept. 27 loss at Ole Miss.
GARRETT NUSSMEIER STATUS FOR REST OF SEASON
Nussmeier is likely considering opting out for the rest of the season to prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft, if indeed this injury news is not completely accurate and he decided to opt out for the last three games, beginning Saturday. That would certainly be understandable, considering the painful injury and season.
“Not quite sure,” Wilson said when asked about Nussmeier’s availability for LSU’s remaining regular games – Western Kentucky (8-2, 6-1 Conference-USA) on Saturday (6:45 p.m., SEC Network) and at No. 11 Oklahoma (8-2, 4-2 SEC) on Nov. 29. The Sooners won, 23-21, at No. 4 Alabama on Saturday.
“We practiced up until yesterday (Friday) to see if there was opportunity if we got in an emergency situation,” Wilson said. “And he (Nussmeier) was not able to do so. So we’ll continue to monitor him day by day, week by week to see his progress.”
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