LSU football picked up a big win over rival Florida on Saturday, Sept. 13 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
However, judging from the Tigers’ coach Brian Kelly’s response to the first question in his postgame press conference, it would have been hard to tell that No. 4 LSU earned a 20-10 victory over the Gators on the back of five interceptions from the defense.
In victory, the Tigers (3-0, 1-0 SEC) scored as many touchdowns on offense as they did defense. But Kelly wanted nothing of a question from reporter Michael Cauble of WBRZ ― a local television news outlet. Kelly cut off Cauble mid-question.
‘Just stop. We won the game, 20-10. Try another question,’ Kelly said. ‘What do you want me to tell you? I just laid it out for you. We played the game to win the game.’
Look: Brian Kelly blows up on reporter on question about offense
LSU’s lone offensive score came with 7:33 left in the second quarter on a 23-yard reception from Zavion Thomas from quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. The Tigers’ other touchdown was on a Dashawn Spears 58-yard interception return in the third quarter, the only score of the second half.
The Gators, despite the loss, outgained LSU 366-316, but the defense forced Florida QB DJ Lagway into five interceptions and made the offensive struggles moot.
LSU was 4-for-14 on third downs and ran 24 fewer plays than Florida.
‘It’s one game. Last game, we were great on third down. You’re micro — you’re looking at this from the wrong perspective,’ Kelly said. ‘LSU won the football game. I don’t know what you want from me. What do you want? You want us to win 70 to nothing against Florida to keep you happy?’
Kelly was also snappy when asked about the LSU rushing game. The Tigers finished with 25 runs for 96 yards, averaging 3.8 yards per carry.
‘We can run the ball. Did you see the last play of the game? That’s all you need. You just need one. Those are ridiculous questions. And I’m getting tired of it,’ Kelly yelled. ‘That football team just worked their tail off to get an SEC win and you want to know what’s wrong.
‘You know what? You’re spoiled,’ Kelly said as he pointed at reporters. ‘This team is 17-1 at night. Give them some respect, how about that? Instead of micro-analyzing every little thing. This is ridiculous. For a group of seasoned reporters, that kind of question is so out of line.’
(This story was updated to change a video.)