The No. 9 LSU football team secured a hard-fought 17-10 victory over the No. 4 Clemson Tigers in their season opener on Saturday night, ending a five-game losing streak in openers and showcasing a revitalized defense that silenced critics. This win marks LSU’s first season-opening victory since 2019, when they won the national championship, and provides a significant boost to their confidence early in the season.
The game, held at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium, was anticipated to be an offensive shootout between two top-ranked teams but evolved into a defensive battle. LSU trailed 10-3 at halftime, hampered by two costly fumbles, including one at Clemson’s 12-yard line that thwarted a scoring opportunity. However, the Tigers rallied in the second half, dominating time of possession and outscoring Clemson 14-0.
LSU’s defense, which had been a weakness in previous seasons, was the standout performer, shutting out Clemson in the second half and limiting them to just 31 rushing yards overall. Key stops included a fourth-down stand at the LSU 33-yard line in the fourth quarter and another critical stop in the red zone with about a minute remaining, where linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. forced an incomplete pass from Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik on fourth down.
Offensively, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier led the charge, completing 28 of 38 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown. He connected with tight end Trey’Dez Green on an 8-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to give LSU a 17-10 lead, which they maintained until the end. Earlier, running back Caden Durham scored on a 2-yard run to tie the game in the third quarter. LSU accumulated 354 total yards and 25 first downs, controlling the clock effectively in the second half.
The defense was bolstered by several newcomers and returning players. Perkins, returning from an ACL injury that cut short his 2024 season, recorded 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and two quarterback pressures. Transfers like defensive ends Patrick Payton from Florida State and Jack Pyburn from Florida, along with others, applied consistent pressure on Klubnik, who completed only 19 of 38 passes for 230 yards with an interception.
Coach Brian Kelly praised his team’s resilience and character in his post-game comments, highlighting how they responded to external doubts. “You’ve got to have some grit and you’ve got to have character, and these kids listened to all the doubters and said, ‘You know what? It doesn’t matter,'” Kelly stated. He emphasized the importance of a strong defense complementing the offense, especially in road games against top-tier opponents.
This victory is particularly meaningful for LSU, as it breaks a frustrating pattern of slow starts and positions them as a serious contender in the SEC and potentially for the College Football Playoff. The team invested heavily in defense during the offseason, with Kelly noting approximately $18 million spent on the roster, and the immediate payoff was evident in this game.
Looking ahead, LSU will host Louisiana Tech, No. 15 Florida, and FCS program Southeast Louisiana in their next three games, providing opportunities to build on this momentum. For Clemson, the loss is a disappointing beginning to the season, and they will need to address offensive inconsistencies quickly. The outcome sets the stage for an intriguing college football season, with LSU emerging as a team to watch.