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Brian Kelly Comments On Tiny LSU Crowd In Baton Rouge After Win Over UCLA

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A view of the crowd during a game between LSU and Mississippi State.

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The LSU Tigers hosted UCLA in non-conference play this weekend, leaving with a 34-17 win. Despite facing its second notable Big Ten opponent from the West Coast, fans in Baton Rouge bailed early.

Empty seats were seen throughout Tiger Stadium with plenty of game action remaining. Head coach Brian Kelly commented on the turnout after the win.

LSU kicked off at 2:30 local time in Louisiana, a start time that deterred attendees from staying the entire game. Highs were in the mid-90s for the majority of the contest, leading many to make the decision to leave early.

This was the scene at halftime. The score was 17-17 at the time.

A number of fans had to be treated for heat-related issues according to Bryce Koon of 247 Sports.

Talked with some medical professionals on my way up to the press box and they said the number of people who have been taken to the “medical room” is north of 70.

-X: @bryce_koon

The weather played the biggest factor in the early exits, with many missing the Tigers’ second half shutout altogether. Despite the lacking fan support, LSU outscored UCLA 17-0 after the break.

Brian Kelly was asked about the crowd size and start time after the win. Here’s what he had to say:

“The TV schedule is something that I have no control over. I’m sure our administration gets a chance to weigh in. We would prefer later games, but we’re beholden to what the national audience is… I feel bad. I hope everybody is ok. I did see, visually, that there weren’t many people in the stands over there because the sun is obviously pounding on them.”

Kelly subtly called for ESPN to schedule LSU games later in the day, at least early on in the season. It’s an issue many in the Southeast have spoken on in the past.

Unfortunately, television schedules don’t necessarily allow for every home SEC game to kickoff at 7PM, which means this won’t be the last time we see a scene like this for a big-time college football outing.