There was a belief that the LSU Tigers’ defense would be improved. But to the level we saw on Saturday night, I don’t think anyone outside of the program could have predicted.
Ninth-ranked LSU held a talented Clemson offense to 261 yards in an impressive 17-10 win over the 4th ranked Tigers.
It’s been several years since the last time an LSU defense played this good against a quality opponent with a lot on the line.
“We’ve had offenses here the last few years that could move the football; we needed to complement with a defense that could stand the test,” said Coach Brian Kelly.
I think it was the Tigers’ best defensive performance since the 2019 SEC Championship game against Georgia, in which LSU held the Bulldogs to ten points. Jake Fromm was picked off twice, and the Bulldogs only had 61 rushing yards.
Against Clemson, LSU had a solid first half, and it was nearly a perfect performance in the second half as they held the Tigers to 12 rushing yards. Safety AJ Haulcy entered in the second half after serving a suspension in the first half and led the defensive effort.
Cade Klubnik, a potential top-five pick in next year’s NFL draft, threw for 230 yards. He was also intercepted once and spent much of the game under duress.
Unlike last year, when mobile quarterbacks had their way against an LSU defense, Klubnik ran for just one yard on eight carries.
Several players stood out.
Harold Perkins looked like the Harold Perkins of his freshman season as he had five tackles, one sack, 1.5 tackles for a loss, and two quarterback hurries. The last quarterback hurry was on Clemson’s final offensive play of the night, which Klubnik threw out of the pocket and was eventually an incomplete pass.
Sophomore PJ Woodland followed up a good camp with five solo tackles, a sack on a cornerback blitz and he had pass breakup.
Mansoor Delane had two pass breakups and an interception. One of the pass break-ups came on a fourth down and five play with just over nine minutes left in the game. He received a game ball during the postgame locker room celebration.
LSU got good play from the linebackers, and the defensive line was very good. It seemed like edge rusher Patrick Payton was everywhere in the first half, despite only one tackle recorded in the stat sheet. The Florida State transfer, who gained the reputation of taking plays off, set the tone when he deflected the first pass thrown by Klubnik. He also put pressure on Klubnik in the third quarter, which forced an interception.
Offensively, LSU lost two fumbles, but Garrett Nussmeier stayed composed and stayed away from the negative plays. He finished 28-of-38 for 230 yards and a touchdown pass to Trey’Dez Green with 12:18 left in the fourth quarter to give LSU its first lead.
Aaron Anderson had a big second half and finished with six catches for 99 yards.
LSU rushed for 108 yards, which is so crucial on the road, because it helps shorten the game. Caden Durham had 74 yards rushing.
The win snaps LSU’s five-game losing streak for season openers. Give LSU credit; many factors worked against them. Two first-half turnovers, failing to score points after driving into the red zone at the end of the first half.
Barion Brown looked like he caught a touchdown pass, only for the video replay judge to say it was an incomplete pass.
That drive ended with a Damian Ramos missed field goal.
These are the types of annoying things that have kept previous LSU teams from winning their season opener.
But this team hung in there and fought past the adversity. The players have been saying all preseason that this is a tight-knit group, even though there are about 40 new players on the roster, and the togetherness and toughness have shown in this hostile environment.
It’s just one win, but if this LSU defense plays at this level or close to it, then the Tigers will have bigger wins as the season goes along.
“These wins are big, there’s a boomerang effect for them, but they had confidence coming into this game, we just need to keep doing what we are doing, we’ll go back at it Monday and we need go 1-and-0 and that’s our mindset each and every week,” Kelly said.
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