faced Arkansas in Week 12 with only one active scholarship quarterback.
And the Tigers (6-4) may have to do so again in their matchup with Western Kentucky on Saturday, if lingering abdominal injury forces him to sit a second straight contest and if absence carries over into a third week of games.
Interim coach said Monday that he was unsure of Nussmeier’s status for the game against the Hilltoppers (8-2). He also characterized Hurley’s absence as a “temporary leave for personal-related matters.”
“I know (Nussmeier’s) gonna want to (play),” Wilson said. “We're going to defer to our medical staff, our trainers, our doctors, to do what's best for him. If there's any way that he can, I know he's gonna want to do so, but I I don't have those answers just yet.”
If starter Michael Van Buren had to miss snaps, then LSU would likely play running back Ju’Juan Johnson at quarterback, Wilson said. The sophomore has played as a tailback all season, but he worked as a quarterback in spring practices, at the start of preseason camp and during in-season practices as well while Nussmeier has battled his injury.
Wilson also said that he has confidence in Emile Picarella, a freshman preferred walk-on and former star at University High.
“We have a contingency plan that we feel confident in,” Wilson said.
If Van Buren appears in the game against Western Kentucky, then he can no longer take a redshirt for the 2025 season. He’s already appeared in four games. The win over Arkansas was his first start of the season and the ninth of his career, which he began last year as a true freshman at Mississippi State.
Nussmeier aggravated his injury in practice on Thursday. LSU ruled him out of the matchup with the Razorbacks shortly before kickoff.
On Saturday, Van Buren completed 21 of 31 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing 10 times for 55 yards. He was sacked four times, and he scrambled for a 35-yard gain that helped the Tigers seal the win on their last drive of the game.
“I thought Michael's body of work was imperfect,” Wilson said, “but yet something that we can certainly build on.
“I thought he was willing to do whatever it took to help us win the football game. He delivered and gave his best when his best was needed. I’m so proud of him and the job that that he did.”