Brian Kelly reveals why Jack Bech missed Saturday's game against Florida

LSU wide receiver Jack Bech was seen in street clothes after suiting up for the first half of Saturday’s 45-35 win over Florida. The sophomore muffed a punt in the first half, and wasn’t seen on the field again.

After the victory, Tigers head coach Brian Kelly revealed what caused Bech to miss the rest of the second half after no explanation was given on the broadcast.

“He has a strain in his lower back. Same injury as last week and it just tightened up again,” Kelly revealed.

Bech had not recorded a catch prior to his injury. So far this season, the sophomore has 10 catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. However, he has just two catches for 16 yards combined over the past three games, though as a former four-star recruit, Bech totaled 43 catches for 489 yards and three touchdowns as a true freshman last season for LSU.

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His miscue on special teams resulted in a touchdown for the Gators on the subsequent drive after being set up inside LSU’s red zone. The score gave Florida a short-lived 21-14 edge as the Tigers marched 75 yards on seven plays on the next drive. They would take a 28-21 lead at the break and would never trail again.

While the muffed punt was of little consequence after the fact, it could have been a game-changing play for the Gators. Florida couldn’t keep pace with LSU’s offense, and the Tigers improved to 5-2 under Kelly in his inaugural season as LSU head coach.

Bech’s status will be one to monitor as the Tigers prepare to host No. 9 Ole Miss next Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT in a matchup that has huge implications for the SEC West.