LSU to decide field goal kicker after ‘big competition’ Thursday, Orgeron says
Three days before their Southeastern Conference opener at Mississippi State, LSU coaches aren’t sure who will serve as the Tigers field goal kicker.
Redshirt freshman Connor Culp and walk-on sophomore Jack Gonsoulin have combined to miss three of six field goals through the first two games. Gonsoulin started 2-for-4 before Culp replaced him last week against UT-Chattanooga. Culp missed a 47-yarder and made one from 45.
“We’ll have a big competition tomorrow,” coach Ed Orgeron said during his radio show Wednesday night at newly renovated TJ Ribs restaurant in Baton Rouge.
Gonsoulin, a Catholic High graduate, won a kicking battle between the two players during camp, but he missed kicks from 40 and 34 yards, giving way to Culp. Culp said earlier this week that he expects coaches to make a decision on a kicker based on “extensive charting” of their field goals this week.
He suggested that only one kicker might travel.
“Guess we have to see how this practice goes,” Culp said. “I’m sure we’re going to have some sort of extensive charting for this week and see who will travel and go.”
How LSU’s defense plans to defend Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen’s favorite play Devin White feels like he and the LSU defense are ahead of schedule in their game planning for Mississippi State and its zone-read offense.
Other notes from Orgeron’s show:
Orgeron reinforced what he said Wednesday morning: Defensive end Rashard Lawrence, a sophomore starter, is not expected to play against Mississippi State while recovering from an ankle injury he suffered against BYU in the season opener. Lawrence, though, will travel with the team to Starkville, the coach said.
LSU will continue rotating true freshmen Ed Ingram and Saahdiq Charles at the right guard position, the coach said. Ingram and Charles have split snaps over the first two games. Charles has played 86 snaps and Ingram 72. Each has started one game so far.
Arden Key’s return means two highly recruited edge rushers on the field at the same time, Orgeron said Wednesday. Key, the All-American junior, is making his 2017 debut, and he’ll be on the field at the same time as freshman edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson during certain packages. “Sure. No question,” the coach said when asked if the two fast, rangy players will share the field.
Dan Mullen, Ed Orgeron’s connection dates to 90s and LSU coach even had chances in Starkville Dan Mullen and Ed Orgeron’s relationship goes back 20 years — even if it was that brief encounter in upstate New York.