LSU skips spring game
Lane Kiffin confirmed LSU will not hold a spring game this year, meaning fans won’t get a first look until the Sept. 5 opener vs. Clemson (saturdaydownsouth.com). Kiffin says the decision is intentional and shifts the full public debut to the season opener (saturdaydownsouth.com).
Kiffin framed the move as strategic, saying he “just stopped the spring game a few years ago” and arguing televised spring scrimmages hand opponents and evaluators film on newcomers and depth players. (saturdaydownsouth.com)) He added a player-safety and competitive angle, noting spring scrimmages can amplify the impact of injuries and comparing the practice timeline to the NFL, where “in the middle of the spring, they don’t have a tackling scrimmage.” (saturdaydownsouth.com)) LSU’s spring plan runs March 24–April 24 with 15 listed practice dates, a window Kiffin said requires careful installation of a new offense amid heavy roster turnover. (247sports.com)) The program lost edge rusher Gabriel “Gabe” Reliford to a torn ACL in early spring practice, an absence Kiffin called “a significant loss” that underscores his comments about the risks of live-scrimmage settings. (theadvertiser.com)) Kiffin’s rationale follows a broader pattern: several Power Five programs have recently scrapped traditional spring games, citing film exposure, tampering concerns and player workload after extended seasons. (espn.com)) LSU has not scheduled any alternate public “event” tied to spring camp and is emphasizing scheme installation and reps for roughly 60 new players added via transfers and the signing class during the month of practices. (247sports.com))
