Brian Kelly Press Conference (Noon CT)...tidbits inside

Expecting to get injury updates and him addressing dismal passing game.

LINK

- LSU vs Tennessee...11am CT in Tiger Stadium on ESPN.

- Tennessee leads the overall series, 20-10-3, but LSU has won the last five meetings.

- BJ Ojulari named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week...Had 4 tackles, including a pair of sacks, and a forced fumble in LSU's 21-17 comeback win over Auburn.

- Any road win is a great win, especially coming back from being down 17 points

- Forcing turnovers and running game key to victory.

- Special teams much improved.

- He realizes that heart and fight can only get you so far...team needs to start playing better for four quarters

- Kelly faced Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker when Hooker was at VA Tech...big physical QB that can pass well.

- Coach expects crowd to show up large at 11am on Saturday.

- Regarding Boutte's low production: still building trust with QB, getting a lot of double coverage...Boutte still regarded as elite NFL prospect. Boutte would love to get the ball more but very happy that team is winning.

- Regarding lack of vertical passing game: deep pass just didn't work this week. Realizes that lack of vertical passing game won't cut it the rest of the season.

- Regarding passing game overall: not just QB issue...WR's need to run better routes and catch better...perhaps offensive play calling needs tweaking.

- Regarding coverage busts on defense in first half: Kelly hesitant to call any player out...issues stemmed from communication problems. Coaches need to over-communicate.

- Kelly acknowledges that team is conservative offensively...he doesn't want interceptions...but realizes that Daniels needs to take some more risks to get WR's the ball.

- On Emery fumble: backside lineman pulled when he shouldn't have, which led to untouched defender stripping ball...didn't absolve Emery of losing the ball but result would have been different had lineman done right thing.

- Left guard Garrett Dellinger (broken left hand) will be back and will practice this week.

- Regarding Daniel's injury: he is fine...injury related to bursa sac...painful injury but no damage structurally...felt good yesterday...MRI was clean.

- Regarding Running Back depth: Josh Williams in the man...good pass blocker...hard runner...good receiver out backfield. John Emery is coming along and Cain is a huge asset with fresh legs.

- Regarding Sevyn Banks and Major Burns: Banks has spinal cord bruise...might be out 5-6 weeks. similar issue as Major Burns...Burns starts running today, next week he will do non-contact drills

- Regarding BJ's forced fumble: that was a captain's play, an effort play, a play made when it needed to be made...huge.

- Regarding interior defensive line play: it was good this past weekend. Wingo consistent, but Roy stood out. Roy had been banged up this season but was injury free this past weekend and it showed.

- Dellinger is backup center...Fitzgerald West also getting reps at center.