The Clemson offense sputtered in their 17-10 season opening loss at home vs 9th ranked LSU, Saturday night. Clemson struck with a Field Goal 1st after a turnover set them up on a short field. DB Aveion Terrell forced a fumble and Safety Ricardo Jones (no relation) scooped it up and returned it into LSU territory.
The offense then stalled for Clemson and Nolan Hauser hit a 42 yard Field Goal. Clemson led 3-0, LSU would then tie at 3 with a Field Goal of their own. Their offense drive stalled after going 50 yards. LSU Kicker Damian Ramos hit from 52 yards to tie the game.
Clemson then re-took the lead on their longest and lone TD drive of the night. RB Adam Randall capped off the 13 play 75 yard drive with a 1 yard TD run. Clemson then took a 10-3 lead into the half.
The second half belonged to the LSU defense as they shutout the Clemson offense after the break. LSU RB Caden Durham had a 2 yard TD run to cap an 8 play 69 yard scoring drive that tied it at 10 going into the 4th quarter.
In the final frame, LSU had their longest TD drive of the game and scored on a TD pass when QB Garrett Nussmeier found Trey Green from 8 yards out. That gave LSU their 1st lead of the game at 17-10.
Down the stretch the Clemson offense turned it over on downs twice and punted once in their final 3 possessions of the game. The late defensive stands preserved the win for LSU.
The highly anticipated battle between Heisman hopeful Quarterbacks went to the "Bayou Bengals". Garrett Nussmeier was 28 of 38 with 230 yards and a TD. Clemson QB Cade Klubnik struggled going 19 of 38 for 230 yards and an interception.
Clemson's offense struggled mightily picking up just 13 1st downs on the night. Clemson gained just 262 total yards and the running game was virtually non-existent gaining just 32 yards on the ground.
Clemson opens the season at 0-1, they are back in action hosting Troy on Saturday.
