After a disappointing season opener, LSU head coach Brian Kelly expressed his frustration following the team’s 27-20 loss to USC at the Vegas Kickoff Classic. During the postgame press conference, Kelly passionately voiced his discontent, nearly knocking over his water bottle as he emphasized his point.
“We’re sitting here again talking about the same things, about not finishing when you have an opponent in a position to put ’em away,” Kelly said emphatically.
Louisiana State University, ranked No. 12 in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, was ahead by four points with less than six minutes remaining in the game. However, they were unable to prevent No. 23 USC from covering the field in the final two minutes to score the winning touchdown.
Kelly revealed that this was the angriest he has been during his three years as LSU’s head coach. “I’ve got to coach ’em better because it’s unacceptable for us not to have found a way to win this football game. It’s ridiculous,” he stated.
This loss marks the fifth consecutive season in which the Tigers have lost their opening game. The situation was particularly frustrating for Kelly, as the game-winning touchdown was set up by a controversial 15-yard targeting penalty against LSU safety Jardin Gilbert, positioning USC at the Tigers’ 13-yard line. On the subsequent play, USC’s Woody Marks rushed into the end zone, breaking a 20-20 tie and sealing the victory for the Trojans.