In a post-game press conference filled with frustration and disappointment, LSU head coach Brian Kelly didn’t hold back, slamming the table and calling his team’s performance in their 27-20 loss to USC “unacceptable.” The Tigers, who entered the game as favorites, were stunned by a resilient USC squad that outplayed them in key moments, leaving Kelly visibly angered by the outcome.
“This is not the standard of LSU football,” Kelly declared, his voice rising as he pounded the table. “We made too many mistakes, missed too many opportunities, and that’s on all of us—coaches and players alike. It’s unacceptable.”
LSU’s defeat was marked by a series of costly errors, including turnovers and penalties that derailed promising drives and gave USC the momentum they needed to secure the upset. The Trojans capitalized on LSU’s miscues, with quarterback Caleb Williams throwing for 325 yards and three touchdowns, carving up a Tigers’ defense that struggled to contain his dynamic play.
Despite a late rally by LSU, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, who threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns, it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit. The Tigers’ offensive line also faltered, allowing constant pressure that disrupted Daniels’ rhythm and forced him into hurried decisions.
Kelly, in his second year at LSU, has emphasized discipline and execution as cornerstones of his program, making the loss particularly stinging. He said that the team lacked focus and execution at the most crucial time.
The loss puts LSU’s season at a crossroads early, as they look to regroup and address the issues that plagued them against USC. For Kelly, the road ahead will require not just tactical adjustments but also a renewed commitment to the fundamentals that he believes should define LSU football.