Brian Kelly discusses importance of reclaiming trophy in Battle for the Golden Boot

First-year LSU head coach Brian Kelly knows all about the importance of trophy games from his time at Notre Dame, which has trophy games with numerous schools. This week, he gets his first taste of the Battle for the Golden Boot, an important trophy game for LSU against Arkansas.

While speaking to the media, Brian Kelly discussed just how important it would be to reclaim the Golden Boot trophy from Arkansas.

“I think there is a rivalry,” Brian Kelly said. “I mean, obviously, we lost the trophy last year in overtime and it means a lot to our guys each and every week.”

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“You know, there’s such a great history and tradition that you hear about these games from Florida to Mississippi and the Magnolia Trophy and certainly this week as well. You know, the Golden Boot is one that the guys know about and it’s important. So, they want to get that trophy back.”

Brian Kelly then explained that learning about the SEC and more specifically LSU’s traditions are exciting to him. After all, as someone who has coached outside the SEC footprint for his entire career, these traditions are new and exciting for him.

“So, each and every week it’s been exciting because, for me it’s new, but it’s great to know the history and tradition of each one of these. Yeah, there’s no question that it is important.”

Arkansas beat LSU 16-13 last season in Death Valley. That was an overtime game. This year, the Tigers are hoping to beat Arkansas in their house.

Brian Kelly on keeping the fire lit

It can be easy for a team coming off huge wins over Ole Miss and Alabama to have a letdown game. Brian Kelly doesn’t expect that to happen, though, as he expects his player to stay motivated down the home stretch.

“If they’re asking me to keep the fire lit, we’re in trouble,” Brian Kelly said.

“I’ve never been a guy to subscribe to the theory of it’s my job to motivate them. It’s their job to motivate themselves. So building that intrinsic motivation through their preparation is my job – I need to prepare them. That’s my job. But through preparation, they’ll build confidence that they’re ready to play. But if I’ve got to go give rah-rah speeches and do all that kind of stuff, we’re going to be an up-and-down football team – and that hasn’t been the case.”