Overview
- Nussmeier was pulled in the third quarter with LSU down 17-6 after a 14-yard red-zone sack in Wilson's first game as interim coach.
- Mississippi State transfer Michael Van Buren completed 5 of 11 passes for 52 yards and later lost a fumble that London Simmons recovered as Alabama closed out a 20-9 win.
- Wilson explained the change as a tactical move to introduce quarterback-run options and move the pocket against a defense challenging a stationary passer.
- Nussmeier, who has been playing through an abdominal strain this season, finished 18-of-21 for 121 yards before the change, and the benching was not attributed to a new injury.
- LSU fell to 5-4 with Arkansas, Western Kentucky and Oklahoma ahead, and Van Buren's appearance was his third this year, leaving a redshirt decision if he plays again.