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Brian Kelly said No. 18 LSU needs to coach better and play better entering the home opener as the Tigers move past a loss to Southern California on Sunday night.

“Closely contested ballgame. Came down to the last 18 seconds at the end,” Kelly said. “We’re going to look to rebound this weekend at home.”

It will be the first home start for longtime quarterback-in-waiting Garrett Nussmeier, who said he’s not trying to be “the next Jayden Daniels or Joe Burrow” — the Tigers’ two recent Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks. Nussmeier threw two touchdown passes with one interception, completing 30 of 39 passes for 308 yards in the 27-20 loss to the Trojans.

But Kelly said Wednesday the Tigers are studying ways to force defenses to defend the entire field — and finish.

“Certainly he’s not Jayden Daniels. But if you don’t defend him, he can hurt you,” Kelly said.

The fourth-quarter three-and-out and failing to put up a touchdown instead of a field goal on the following drive were key for the Tigers.

“When you have your opportunities late in the game, you’ve got to go finish,” Kelly said.

LSU faces FCS program Nicholls State on a short week after landing in Baton Rouge at 5 a.m. on Monday. He said the Tigers practiced on an off day, took the field in 96 degrees, and he came away thrilled with the group’s mentality.

“They responded in the right way,” Kelly said.

Kelly singled out the safety position as a group he wants to see step up after reviewing film of the defeat. Jardin Gilbert is suspended for the first half for targeting.

–Field Level Media