Kiffin Benched Watkins During LSU Victory
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin removed wide receiver Winnie Watkins following two dropped passes against McNeese State.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Football
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LSU head coach Lane Kiffin benched wide receiver Winnie Watkins during the team's matchup against McNeese State after Watkins failed to secure two potential touchdown passes. Freshman Corey Barber Jr. replaced Watkins and recorded two touchdowns in the first half.
Why it matters
Kiffin’s decision to remove his top receiver stems from frustration regarding execution errors that stalled drives, including one sequence that led to an interception.
LSU held a 35-0 halftime lead over McNeese State, anchored by Barber Jr.'s performance. Watkins entered the game with 314 receiving yards on the season before his benching.
The players
Lane Kiffin
He serves as the head coach for the LSU football team.
Winnie Watkins
He is a wide receiver for the LSU football team who entered the game leading the team in receiving yards.
Corey Barber Jr.
He is a freshman wide receiver for LSU who stepped in for Watkins.
Sam Leavitt
He is the quarterback for LSU who threw an interception following one of the dropped passes.
McNeese State
This is the university football team that faced LSU in Baton Rouge.
The details
Watkins struggled while positioned behind the McNeese State defense, missing two separate opportunities that resulted in dropped touchdown passes. One of these drops preceded an interception by quarterback Sam Leavitt, prompting Kiffin to make the immediate personnel change.
Timeline
October 3, 2026: LSU played McNeese State in Baton Rouge.
Season Trajectory
This mid-game personnel adjustment mirrors the 2023 LSU depth chart rotation shift, signaling Kiffin's willingness to prioritize situational execution over veteran status. The change impacts the team's wide receiver rotation as they move deeper into the season schedule.
Barber Jr. secured two touchdowns in limited action, potentially positioning him for increased snap counts in future rotations. Watkins' benching creates uncertainty regarding the team's primary receiving option for upcoming conference play.
The takeaway
Coaching decisions to bench star players often serve as a disciplinary measure to maintain offensive standards during blowout games. Players must maintain consistent focus on deep routes to avoid similar mid-game roster adjustments in the future.
Further reading
For more updates on the team's performance, visit the Football section.
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