Brian Kelly was angry. Not just "coach-speak" frustrated, but actually, visibly shaking with rage. If you saw the Brian Kelly post game USC press conference after LSU’s 27-20 loss in Las Vegas, you know the moment. He didn't just talk about the loss; he slammed his fist onto the dais with a thud that echoed through the room.
It was a vibe shift.
For three years, LSU fans have watched Kelly maintain a certain level of polished, almost corporate stoicism. That disappeared at Allegiant Stadium. This wasn't the guy who dances in recruiting videos; this was a coach who looked like he’d finally hit a breaking point with "the same old things."
What Actually Happened With the Table Slam?
People love a good meltdown. But if you look at the transcript, the anger wasn't just about the scoreboard. LSU had USC exactly where they wanted them. They were leading late. They had momentum. Then, it all dissolved.
"We’re sitting here again—we’re sitting here again talking about the same things!" Kelly shouted, punctuating the second "again" with a massive fist slam.
He was referring to a specific pattern. LSU has now lost three straight season openers under Kelly. Florida State in 2022, Florida State again in 2023, and now USC in 2024. For a coach paid $100 million to win championships, starting 0-1 every single year feels like a glitch in the simulation.
The "Killer Instinct" That Never Showed Up
Kelly’s main gripe? A total lack of what he calls "killer instinct." Honestly, he’s not wrong. LSU had multiple chances to put the Trojans away. They were inside the 15-yard line three times and walked away with a measly six points.
You can't do that against a Lincoln Riley offense.
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He pointed out that his team started feeling like the game was over while they were still on the sideline. That’s a coaching nightmare. When your players start celebrating before the clock hits zero, you've lost the psychological edge. Kelly called it "ridiculous" and "crazy."
The Penalty Problem
It wasn’t just the lack of scoring. It was the "selfish" penalties. That's the word Kelly kept using: selfish.
- LSU finished with 10 penalties for 99 yards.
- Two massive unsportsmanlike conduct fouls directly led to USC scores.
- A targeting call late in the game essentially handed the Trojans the winning drive.
Kelly was blunt about it. He said those penalties fall back on him, but he also didn't shy away from calling the players out for being undisciplined. It's a tough balance. You want to take the blame as the CEO, but you also want people to know you didn't tell a kid to head-butt an opponent in the fourth quarter.
Miller Moss vs. Garrett Nussmeier
One of the most controversial quotes from the Brian Kelly post game USC session involved the quarterbacks. Kelly point-blank said that USC's Miller Moss outplayed Garrett Nussmeier.
"He outplayed our quarterback," Kelly said.
Now, look at the stats. Nussmeier wasn't bad. He threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns. He looked poised for most of the night. But Moss was surgical when it mattered most, finishing with 378 yards and leading a 75-yard drive in the final two minutes.
To many fans, Kelly's comment felt like throwing Nussmeier under the bus. But from a coaching perspective, Kelly was highlighting the difference between "good stats" and "winning the game." Moss made the "winning" plays. Nussmeier, despite his talent, couldn't close the deal in the red zone.
The Defense: A Silver Lining or More of the Same?
Ironically, Kelly actually praised the defense for a good portion of the game. After the 2023 season, where the LSU defense was basically a sieve, anything would have been an improvement. They were better. The defensive tackles held up, and the edge rushers actually put pressure on Moss.
But they broke at the end.
The 13-yard touchdown run by Woody Marks with eight seconds left was the final dagger. Kelly noted that while the defense "took a step forward," they didn't get the "complimentary" help they needed from the offense. Basically, if the offense scores a touchdown instead of a field goal on that last drive, the defense isn't in a "must-stop" situation with no time left.
Why This Press Conference Still Matters
This wasn't just a coach being a sore loser. This was a window into the pressure of the LSU job. In Baton Rouge, 10-win seasons are the floor. But if you can't win the "big" non-conference opener, the path to the College Football Playoff becomes a tightrope walk.
Kelly knows the narrative. People say he can't win the big one. They say his teams lack discipline. By slamming the table, he was trying to signal to his locker room—and the fan base—that he’s done accepting mediocrity.
Whether that actually changes the culture or just makes him look like a guy losing his cool is what we’re all waiting to see.
Moving Forward After the USC Loss
If you're following LSU this season, keep an eye on how they handle the "small things." The table slam was the headline, but the real work is in the red zone and the penalty sheet.
Watch for these specific adjustments:
- Red Zone Play-Calling: Look for more aggressive "go-for-it" mentalities on 4th down. Kelly regretted settling for field goals against USC.
- Discipline Check: Watch the bench. Kelly mentioned the sideline "feeling like the game was over." You'll likely see a much more subdued, focused sideline in the coming weeks.
- Nussmeier's Evolution: He has the arm, but he needs the "killer instinct" Kelly obsessed over. Watch how he handles the final two minutes of close SEC games.
The Brian Kelly post game USC performance was a rare moment of raw emotion from a coach who usually keeps it behind a mask. It set the tone for the rest of the year. It's no longer about just "playing hard"—it's about finishing. If they don't, that table won't be the last thing getting smashed in Baton Rouge.
Next Steps for LSU Fans
To get a better sense of how the team is responding, you should check out the mid-week practice reports. Coaches often use those sessions to implement the "discipline" Kelly barked about in the presser. Also, keep an eye on the injury report for the secondary, as several players were "banged up" during that final USC drive, which might explain some of the late-game coverage lapses.