The LSU Tigers finally put an end to their five game Week 1 losing streak dating back to the 2019 season and did so in impressive fashion on the road against a preseason Top 5 Clemson team. Here are five positive takeaways from the Bayou Bengals’ victory on Saturday night!
1. LSU’s Defense Is For Real!
It has been quite a while since LSU fans have seen a defense as fast and physical as this LSU defense and they had an incredible coming out party against a talented Clemson offense. The Tigers defense shutout Clemson’s offense in the second half and frustrated preseason Heisman favorite Cade Klubnik the entire game only limiting him to complete 19 of 38 passes for 230 yards and an interception. Klubnik was pressured all night long by the Tigers’ defensive line and their two star linebackers Harold Perkins Jr. and Whit Weeks. Perkins has found his natural position once again after stuffing the stat sheet with five tackles, 3 QB pressures, 2 hurries, 1.5 TFLs, and 1 sack. All three levels of the defense were playing at an extremely high level also allowing only 31 total yards rushing on the ground. The making of a great defense is getting off the field on third and fourth down and Clemson combined to go 5 for 17 in money down situations. Whether it was harassing the quarterback, getting interceptions, or stuffing the run, this has the makings of an overall special LSU defense, which is something that is always expected in Baton Rouge.
“We’ve had offenses here the last few years that can move the football. We needed to complement with a defense that could stand the test. You go on the road and play a Top five team. You better bring a defense and we knew that we were going to be that defense that we needed to step up and step up big.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly
2. DBU Is Back!
Since bringing Corey Raymond back as the cornerbacks coach last year, there have been improvements in the secondary and now with an overhaul in the transfer portal, the secondary is finally back to looking like the DBU of old. Perhaps, the best player on the field Saturday night was CB Mansoor Delane, who received the game ball from Coach Kelly after his performance. The former Virginia Tech cornerback had two tackles, two pass breakups, an interception, and only gave up one catch. He was the highest graded player with an 81.3 grade by Pro Football Focus. PJ Woodland also had a great outing by getting a sack off a corner blitz on the first drive of the game and was solid in coverage. Five-star freshman DJ Pickett looked the part of a big time cornerback being 6’5 and having fluid hips. Then, at the safety position, Tamarcus Cooley and Jardin Gilbert did a great job of stepping up for AJ Haulcy, who missed the first half because of an ejection that was carried over from when he was at Houston. When Haulcy got back in the second half, his presence was felt in helping Clemson not score any points in the final 30 minutes. The backend of the defense is talented, deep, and going to be fun to watch this year.
“Blake called a great game and a lot of guys made great individual plays. There is too many to mention. Mansoor Delane got the game ball for some of his big plays. We have the depth, and we have the competitive depth that allows us to compete at a high level.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly
3. The Offensive Line Held Its Own.
A lot of people were concerned about LSU’s new offensive line holding its own against Clemson’s defensive line that features two All-Americans T.J. Parker and Peter Woods, but LSU’s new starting five did not look out of place whether it was protecting Garrett Nussmeier or opening running lanes for Caden Durham. With an experienced offensive line last year, LSU struggled to run the football and exert its will. That was not the question after one game as Durham finished the game with 74 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries averaging 4.4 yards per carry. Zavion Thomas also got some productive action when he got the football with three carries for 26 yards averaging 8.7 yards per carry. Nussmeier had a comfortable pocket as well all game long, and the only sack given up was by a linebacker on a blitz. Virginia Tech transfer Mansoor Delane was not the only former Hokie that stood out for his play as former Virginia Tech center Braelin Moore was graded a 73.9 by Pro Football Focus, which is the fifth highest grade on the team and for his efforts, won SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week. For a new group that consisted of guys like Moore, Tyree Adams, Josh Thompson, Paul Mubenga, and Weston Davis, it was a passing grade.
4. Garrett Nussmeier Played A Clean, Efficient Game.
All offseason, the focus was on Garrett Nussmeier’s improvement as a decision maker and Nussmeier showed that improvement on Saturday night by being in control of the offense. The latest #18 turned it on in the second half throwing for 134 yards in the final 30 minutes and leading two touchdown drives including the game winning touchdown pass to Trey’Dez Green. Nussmeier finished 28/38 for 230 yards and one touchdown earning SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors. He also should have had another touchdown pass to Barion Brown that was controversially reversed to an incomplete pass. The projected first round quarterback prospect showed a nice rapport with Aaron Anderson, who finished with six grabs for 99 yards. Add in weapons like Brown, Green, Zavion Thomas, Chris Hilton, Bauer Sharp, Caden Durham, Ju’Juan Johnson among others, this offense is only going to get better after facing off against a good Clemson defense.
5. This Team’s Mental Makeup Is Different Than Years Past.
It is one thing to wear a warmup shirt that says 1-0, but it is another thing to actually go out and do it. Brian Kelly has stated all offseason that the team is confident that they can go into a hard environment like Clemson and get the job done. There were moments that the momentum went against LSU most notably when a Barion Brown touchdown catch got overturned, but LSU kept on playing and later would take the lead on the pursuing drive. The attitude and ability to bounce back and shift the focus to the next play on the road in front of a national television audience was very evident and one of the biggest reasons why Brian Kelly is so bullish on his team.
“The first thing that you need to go on the road and defeat a Top 5 team is confidence and the belief to do what you can do. Our guys believed in it and the second thing you need is composure. Our guys composed themselves at halftime and played with great composure. The third thing is that you have to compete and go to the next play. They did all three today.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly
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