There was a belief the LSU Tigers the 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 head coach Brian Kelly.
It was the Tigers' best defensive performance since the 2019 SEC Championship game against Georgia, with LSU holding the Bulldogs to 10 points. Jake Fromm was picked off twice. Georgia only had 61 rushing yards.
Clemson found some room to operate in the first half of this one, but they ran into a buzzsaw in the second half. LSU's defense held Clemson to 12 rushing yards in a near-perfect performance. 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-5 pick in next year’s NFL draft, threw for 230 yards. He was also intercepted once and spent much of the game under duress.
A year ago mobile quarterbacks had their way against LSU's defense. That wasn't the case in this game. Klubnik ran for just 1 yard on eight carries and the Tigers repeatedly stretched out what looked to be QB runs in big moments, including the 4th down stop to ice the game. On that play Klubnik rolled out to his right and eventually threw an incomplete desperation pass.
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Several players stood out in the effort.
Harold Perkins looked like the Harold Perkins of his freshman season as he had five tackles, 1 sack, 1.5 tackles for a loss and 2 quarterback hurries. The last quarterback hurry was on Clemson’s final offensive play of the night.
Sophomore PJ Woodland followed up a good camp with five solo tackles, a sack on a cornerback blitz and he had bass break-up.
Mansoor Delane had two pass breakups and an interception. One of those PBUs came on a 4th and 5 play with just over 9 minutes left in the game. He received a game ball during the postgame locker room celebration.
LSU saw impressive work from its linebackers and defensive line. 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 avoided the type of negative plays that too often defined last year's campaign. He finished 28-of-38 for 230 yards and a touchdown pass to Trey’Dez Green with 12:18 left in the fourth quarter that gave LSU its first lead.
Aaron Anderson had a big second half and finished with six catches for 99 yards.
LSU rushed for 108 yards, a crucial element when it comes to winning in difficult road environments 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; there were a lot of things that went against them. They had two first half turnovers and failed 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 camp that this is a tight-knit group, even though there are about 40 new players on the roster. The togetherness and toughness showed in this hostile environment.
It’s just one win, but if this LSU defense plays at this level or close to it, the Tigers will be in line for much bigger wins as the season goes along.
“These wins are big, there’s a boomerang effect for them,"Kelly said, "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.”