The LSU Tigers opened up the season with a Top 10 matchup in the other Death Valley against the Clemson Tigers. Once the dust settled, the purple and gold-clad Tigers held the ones wearing purple and orange, with LSU winning 17-10. The win marked the first season-opening win since Joe Burrow was around for the Tigers.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
LSU started the game with a promising first drive, or rather first play, as Caden Durham took the handoff for 24 yards. The Tigers drove the ball down to the Clemson 40-yard line before being forced to punt.
After forcing a three-and-out, LSU got the ball back, but a pass from Garrett Nussmeier to tight end Bauer Sharp ended badly. The Oklahoma transfer caught the pass and got eight yards before Avieon Terrell jarred the ball loose, and Ricardo Jones recovered it. Jones returned it 24 yards to give Clemson the ball at the LSU 24-yard line.
LSU’s defense gave up no yards on three plays to Clemson, who had to settle for a 42-yard field goal by Nolan Hauser.
At the end of the first, Clemson led 3-0.
LSU tied the game early in the second quarter as Damien Ramos made a 52-yard field goal.
Clemson promptly retook the lead with a 13-play, 75-yard drive, which the orange-clad Tigers capped with a one-yard touchdown run by Adam Randall.
LSU drove into the red zone right before halftime with a 12-play, 62-yard drive.
The drive ended in disaster as Nussmeier completed a short pass to Chris Hilton Jr. at the 12-yard line, but the ball was knocked out by Ronan Hanafin and recovered by Kylon Griffin. Clemson went into halftime with a 10-3 advantage.
The second half started with a nice Clemson drive, but it ended with a missed field goal. That allowed LSU the opportunity to go down and score, which they did to tie the game 10-10. The game-tying touchdown came courtesy of a Caden Durham run.
The LSU defense came up with an interception, however a missed field goal of their own meant the game would stay tied.
A Clemson three and out gave Nussmeier the ball back, and this time he delivered. An 11 play, 73 yard drive concluded with a Trey’dez Green touchdown reception to make it 17-10 LSU and give them their first lead.
Down the stretch they would keep that lead, as the defense came through with multiple stops. In the end, a 4th and four at the LSU 15 yard line was denied, giving the Tigers a huge win.
BIG NUMBER: 2019
The win is the first in a season opener since 2019, the year LSU won the National Championship. It also marks the first opening win for Brian Kelly.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Mansoor Delane
One of the prized additions via the transfer portal, Delane delivered an interception when LSU needed it. His coverage in the back-end helped hold down Heisman-hopeful Klubnik in the win.
UP NEXT: LSU (1-0) will take on Louisiana Tech at Tiger Stadium next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and the game can be heard on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette and 104.1 Lake Charles.