In 2022, one of the best games of the college football season was that of LSU football vs. Alabama. The Tigers came out of Death Valley on top 32-31, and the coaching decisions of coach Brian Kelly ended up being a major reason for it. Heading into the 2023 edition, Kelly took time to reflect on his possibly game-winning decision to go for two in overtime.
Coach Brian Kelly reflects on last year’s decision to go for two in overtime
In the world of college football, there’s an ebb and flow that makes things nearly impossible to predict. Sometimes, outcomes are entirely decided by talent. Other times, they’re determined by momentum and last-second decisions.
For LSU football vs. Alabama in 2022, fans got a fantastic dose of all three, as the Tigers inevitably won the game 32-31 in overtime.
While the entire game was thrilling and would end up being one of the games of the year, it was one late decision that might have won it for coach Brian Kelly and his team.
After entering the fourth quarter with a 14-9 lead over the Crimson Tide, the two teams would go on to score 25 total in the last 15 minutes – sending the game to overtime.
Alabama scored first in the extra time, making the score 24-31, and it was time for LSU football to answer. That turned out to be no issue at all, as Jayden Daniels would score on a 25-yard run on the first play of the drive. On that night in November 2022, the next call was a no-brainer for coach Brian Kelly.
The Tigers went for two, throwing a short pass to freshman tight end Mason Taylor, and the rest is history.
“I felt like the game itself was such that our guys were executing at such a high level, that that was kind of what prompted that decision,” coach Brian Kelly said at Monday’s press conference. “I think from my perspective, it’s really about a gut feeling at the time more so than what’s the perfect scenario.
“And I think the feeling was that we were executing at a high level at that time, and it was time to go for it.”
Now, looking ahead to the 2023 edition of LSU football vs. Alabama, what’s the game plan if they find themselves in the exact same position?
“The exact same position?” Coach Brian Kelly questioned with a smile. “That’s a feel of the game, so it’s really hard to answer the question.”
While he might not know the answer right now, there’s no doubt that he trusts his team to make big plays when needed most.
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