Garrett Nussmeier shares advice he got from his father before bowl game

Even SEC quarterbacks still need occasional fatherly advice. After his explosive performance in LSU’s 35-31 win over Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier revealed the advice his dad gave him ahead of his first start.

“He told me just to go play, just to stick to my process, stick to what I’ve been working on,” Nussmeier said. “I’ve been blessed with opportunities to play in big games. I got to play against Georgia last year and Alabama this year. It wasn’t like I haven’t played. I haven’t started a game. I felt like I knew what the moment was going to be like and I was prepared.

“My coaches and Coach Sloane did an amazing job with that, making sure I was ready, prepared. Coach Dino and all those guys. I’m super blessed, super grateful. God is good.”

Evidently, the advice worked. In the win, Nussmeier completed 31-of-his-45 passes for 395 yards and three touchdowns while only throwing one interception. 

The win was a back-and-forth affair. Wisconsin hopped out to an early 14-0 lead while Nussmeier still got comfortable. However, when the redshirt sophomore found his footing, he didn’t hesitate to sprint, outscoring the Badgers 21-10 in the second half.

Nussmeier was particularly impressive on LSU’s game-winning drive. With six minutes left in the fourth quarter and down 31-28, Nussmeier led LSU on a 98-yard march to the end zone. He completed the offensive clinic with a four-yard touchdown pass to Brian Thomas Jr.

Despite his standout performance, Nussmeier remained humble after the game.

“I didn’t carry the team on my back. We did it together,” Nussmeier said. “It started two weeks ago in bowl prep. First, I’d like to say God is good. His timing is always right. I feel really good right now and I feel really bless and that’s all because of Him.”

Garrett Nussmeier is given the keys

Nussmeier will need plenty more fatherly advice moving forward. LSU will lose Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels to the 2024 NFL Draft and it has not aggressively hunted a quarterback in the portal, only adding Vanderbilt’s AJ Swann. Instead, the team has laid its chips on Nussmeier.

After Nussmeier’s performance against Wisconsin, it looks like LSU made a smart bet. Even before Nussmeier’s performance in LSU’s bowl win, head coach Brian Kelly confirmed Nussmeier is the program’s quarterback of the future.

“He’s got the keys to the car going forward in ’24,” Kelly said. “The offense, he knows it well. He’ll be able to do the things that we need to do offensively, run it, throw it, do the things that are necessary to be a championship football team.”