‘Angry’ LSU Coach Brian Kelly Slams Table After ‘Unacceptable’ Loss to USC
LSU head coach Brian Kelly did not hold back his emotions following a crushing and unexpected 34-20 loss to the USC Trojans on Saturday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. In what was billed as a high-profile early-season clash between two national powerhouses, the Tigers stumbled through a mistake-riddled performance that left their veteran coach visibly frustrated.
In a postgame press conference that turned into a fiery monologue, Kelly slammed the table in front of him while calling out what he described as a “lack of discipline, urgency, and accountability” from his squad. It was a rare public outburst from the normally measured coach, who made it clear he would not accept the effort his team put forth against Lincoln Riley’s Trojans.
“This was an embarrassment,” Kelly began, his voice rising with each sentence. “This isn’t what LSU football is supposed to be. We weren’t prepared, we weren’t sharp, and we flat out got beat—physically, mentally, and emotionally. That’s unacceptable.”
As the Tigers fell behind 17-0 in the first quarter, missed tackles, penalties, and miscommunications on both sides of the ball derailed any chance of establishing rhythm. Despite a brief third-quarter surge that brought them within a touchdown, the Tigers crumbled in the final frame, conceding 14 unanswered points. USC quarterback Malachi Nelson, starting in his first major spotlight game, shredded the LSU secondary with poise and precision, throwing for 312 yards and three touchdowns.
Kelly reserved special criticism for LSU’s defensive execution, or lack thereof.
“We didn’t tackle. We didn’t cover. We didn’t do anything remotely close to what we practiced all week,” Kelly said. “And when that happens, it starts with me. But make no mistake—we’re going to have a hard look at who’s out there wearing the purple and gold. Because if you’re not going to give full effort, you won’t play.”
The LSU defense allowed 452 total yards, including 140 on the ground—most of which came after contact. Communication breakdowns were evident throughout the game, especially on third down, where USC converted 9-of-14 opportunities.
But the offense did not escape Kelly’s wrath either. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, taking over full-time duties this season after Jayden Daniels entered the NFL, struggled under pressure. Though he finished with 237 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns, his two costly interceptions stunted potential scoring drives.
“We can’t give the football away like that,” Kelly emphasized. “We had momentum and we threw it away—literally. The quarterback has to be smarter. We’ve got to coach him better. Period.”
Kelly’s frustration seemed to boil over midway through the presser when a reporter asked if the Tigers had underestimated USC’s young roster. The coach pounded the table with his right hand and leaned forward, his voice sharp.
“Underestimated?” he repeated. “We didn’t show them enough respect, maybe. But this was about us—not them. USC played hard, they executed, and they earned that win. We beat ourselves. And that’s what pisses me off.”
This marked LSU’s second straight loss dating back to the previous season’s bowl game, raising questions about whether the team is regressing rather than building on its SEC title ambitions. LSU had entered the 2025 season ranked No. 7, with playoff aspirations and one of the most talented rosters in the country.
Now, all of that is in doubt. And for Kelly, in his third year at the helm, time and excuses may be running short.
“We have a standard here,” Kelly concluded. “And that standard wasn’t met tonight—not even close. We’ll either fix this now or we’re going to have some very different conversations in a few weeks.”
While some fans and pundits appreciated Kelly’s bluntness and passion, others questioned whether his fiery rhetoric would resonate in a locker room that appeared disjointed and disheartened after the game. Several players declined media interviews altogether, a sign that the loss had struck a nerve.
LSU will look to regroup quickly with a pivotal matchup against Ole Miss looming next Saturday. A loss in that game could put them behind in the SEC West race and send the season into an early tailspin.
For now, Kelly’s outburst serves as a public declaration: the leash is tightening, and the pressure is mounting.
Whether the Tigers can respond remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—Brian Kelly has drawn a line in the sand, and after Saturday’s humiliation,
there’s little room left for error.
