1-0! LSU fans have been waiting for what feels like a millennium to see the Tigers above .500 after one week of play as the Bayou Bengals end a five game losing streak and get their first season opening win since winning a National Championship in 2019. In a Top 10 matchup between LSU and Clemson, it was the LSU Tigers that got on top with a hard fought victory on the road by a final score of 17-10.
“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
It was the LSU defense that put an impressive performance under defensive coordinator Blake Baker. Investing a lot of money this offseason in the transfer portal was money well spent on the defensive side of the football as the Tigers defense stifled Heisman Trophy favorite Cade Klubnik to only 261 total yards and 10 points. Klubnik struggled against the LSU defense by only completing 50% of his passes (19 of 38) for 230 yards and an interception. LSU was also able to shutdown the running game by only giving up 31 yards rushing on the ground.
“Primarily, we had to get him out of rhythm. We did that very well and we took his running game away. Any quarterback that doesn’t have a running game becomes predictable and they were in some predictable down and distances because they couldn’t run the football.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly on success containing Cade Klubnik
It was a defensive battle for both teams, but Garrett Nussmeier was able to get just enough of LSU’s offense to lead the victory. Nussmeier finished the game completing 28 of 38 passes for 230 yards and one touchdown, which happened to be the eventual game winning touchdown to Trey’Dez Green early in the fourth quarter. Nussmeier had a strong second half as 134 of his 230 yards came in the last 30 minutes and in the process led two touchdown drives.
After trailing 10-3 at halftime, LSU’s defense shut out Clemson’s offense in the second half by outscoring the home team 14-0. LSU could have even won the game by more in what was one of the most controversial calls ever seen. In what looked like a sure touchdown pass from Nussmeier to Barion Brown was overturned and ruled an incomplete pass. LSU would then miss a field goal, but would bounce back on the following drive with the go ahead touchdown.
Clemson had an opportunity to tie the game with 1:54 left, but as Clemson was going down the field, LSU’s defense sealed the deal on a fourth down stop. Harold Perkins Jr. came in with the late pressure to force an errant throw from Klubnik. Perkins finished the game with five tackles, 1 sack, and 1.5 TFLs. Perkins’ counterpart Whit Weeks was creating havoc and pressure on Klubnik the entire night and Virginia Tech transfer Mansoor Delane had a breakout performance at cornerback with an interception and a key pass breakup on fourth down.
“Harold is coming on. He is healthy and is at a position where he has had success and Blake can utilize him as the player that he is. It’s just a different roster with different players and it allows Blake to use the tools that are necessary to best impact the game.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly on Harold Perkins Jr.
“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 on the defense
The young LSU offensive line held their own against a highly talked about Clemson defensive line as Nussmeier was only sacked one time. Caden Durham led the running game with 17 carries for 74 yards and the game tying touchdown at 10-10 early in the second half. Aaron Anderson led all receivers with six catches for 99 yards.
Both defenses set the tone early as a Bauer Sharp fumble set up the only points of the first quarter with Clemson field goal at 3-0. After Damian Ramos made a 53 yard field goal to tie the game at 3, Clemson had the only first half touchdown coming on a 1 yard touchdown plunge from Adam Randall to give them a 10-3 lead. LSU tried to get a touchdown right before halftime, but Clemson made a stop on fourth down as Ronan Hanafin stripped Chris Hilton of a fumble to preserve a 10-3 lead.
The momentum changed early in the third quarter after Nolan Hauser missed a 48 yard field goal, which resulted in LSU later tying the game at 10.
LSU was the better team statistically throughout and it showed on the scoreboard. Fans, players, and especially Brian Kelly can finally have a sigh of relief in putting an end to the season opening losing streak. A strong performance by Garrett Nussmeier plus a dominant defensive outing led LSU to getting what is arguably the biggest win of the Brian Kelly era on the road against a preseason Top 5 team in Clemson.
“These wins are big. There’s no doubt. There’s a boomerang effect for them, but they had confidence going into this game. We just need to keep doing what we are doing. We are going to go back Monday and we need to go 1-0. I know it’s a cliche, but cliches stick around because they are true. We look to do that on Monday.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly
Next week, LSU will head back to Tiger Stadium in front of a fired up fanbase for the home opener against Louisiana Tech as most likely a Top 5 ranked team.
Meanwhile, Clemson will look to bounce back next week against Troy.
Tomorrow, I will have more of a breakdown from what was a huge LSU victory to start the season!
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