Les Miles met with the media for the final time before his team heads to Nashville for the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30, giving reporters an update on the goings-on around the program as they get ready for their holiday break.

The Tigers have their final practice before their break on Tuesday, which Miles told reporters would be a “light go.” The team would then break for the holidays, reconvening after two days.

LSU will be getting senior running back Kenny Hilliard back in the lineup for the bowl game. Hilliard missed the final two games of the season after suffering a shoulder injury against Alabama. Miles told reporters that Hilliard went through a full practice and looked good doing so.

Miles didn’t offer much comment on reports that defensive coordinator John Chavis talked to Texas A&M about their defensive coordinator vacancy. He told reporters he planned to talk to all of his assistants about the opportunities they have at LSU and elsewhere. In true Miles fashion, he said that coaches have “a want to be (at LSU).” One of the reasons might be LSU’s nation-high assistant coach salary pool.

LSU is preparing to face both Notre Dame quarterbacks, Everett Golson and Malik Zaire. Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly recently said that he plans to give both quarterbacks playing time in the bowl game. Golson was the starter all season, but was benched for Zaire against Southern California in the team’s regular season finale. 

LSU is back to an open competition at kicker after Colby Delahoussaye struggled late in the season. Trent Domingue is also getting reps practicing field goals. Miles said that Delahoussaye did not have an injury, which would imply that the kicker’s struggles are not a phsyical issue.

Last year, LSU held a press conference to announce its juniors returning for a senior year. Miles thinks that a good number of draft eligible players will be coming back for a final season in Baton Rouge. Jalen Collins will reportedly jump to the pros, but other juniors like Danielle Hunter, Jalen Mills, Kwon Alexander and Vadal Alexander may be coming back.

Miles has heard the criticism of quarterback Anthony Jennings. As per usual, Miles told reporters that both Jennings and Brandon Harris are improving in practice.