LSU head coach Brian Kelly needs to work at keeping his head on a swivel.
The 63-year-old coach was patrolling the sidelines on Saturday as his No. 3 Tigers took on their rivals, the Florida Gators.
Late in the first half, LSU back Caden Durham put up a six-yard-run that ended out of bounds. However, multiple players continued to play past the whistle – owing to the chippy environment seen earlier in the day when the two teams fought each other in warmups.
Kelly raced up the sideline to try and get the attention of an official while not paying attention to his immediate left.
If he was looking, he’d have seen Florida edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. and LSU lineman Weston Davis engaged in a block.
But he didn’t and Davis shoved Gumbs out of bounds and plowed his shoulder directly into his own coach.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly didn’t pay attention as two players came rumbling towards him
Kelly had two linemen – including one of his own – crash into him on the sidelines
Davis and Gumbs, who weigh a combined 567 pounds, collided with Kelly and knocked him to the ground.
Fortunately, it appears that Kelly avoided any further injuries. He stayed on the sideline throughout the rest of the game.
Both Davis and Gumbs were clocked with offsetting personal foul penalties.
LSU finished that drive with a 45-yard field goal to take a 13-10 lead into halftime. They would go on to win 20-10, dropping Florida to 1-2 on the season.
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway had a night to forget, completing 33-of-49 pass attempts for 287 yards, one touchdown, and an unforgivable five interceptions.
The Gators are in the midst of a gauntlet of their schedule – having played their first of four-straight ranked opponents. Next week, they take on rivals No. 5 Miami.
As for LSU, their perfect season rolls on. They face Southeast Louisiana next week.
