— In Clemson, S.C., No. 9 LSU rallied from a 10-3 halftime deficit to defeat No. 4 Clemson 17-10, snapping a run of season-opening losses dating back to 2020. The road win ends Brian Kelly’s streak of opener defeats and ranks among the most consequential results of his LSU tenure.
Key takeaways
- Result: No. 9 LSU beat No. 4 Clemson 17-10 at Memorial Stadium, securing its first season-opening win since 2019.
- Halftime: Clemson led 10-3 after LSU failed on a fourth down at the Clemson 13-yard line with 15 seconds left in the second quarter.
- Quarterbacks: LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier went 28-of-38 for 230 yards and 1 TD; Clemson’s Cade Klubnik finished 19-of-38 for 230 yards with 1 INT.
- LSU defense: Opened with two straight three-and-outs (Clemson net minus-10 yards), held Clemson to 110 first-half yards, and produced a late fourth-and-4 stop to preserve the lead.
- Impact players: Harold Perkins Jr. recorded a sack; transfer CB Mansoor Delane broke up a critical fourth-down pass; new DL additions Bernard Gooden, Jack Pyburn, and Patrick Payton boosted the front.
- Replay controversy: A Barion Brown catch at the pylon was overturned to incomplete on review; ESPN rules analyst Bill Lemonnier said he would have ruled it a touchdown.
- Heisman angle: The much-hyped duel never ignited, but Nussmeier’s road win over a top-10 team strengthens his early-season candidacy.
Verified facts
LSU emphasized defense from the opening snap, forcing Clemson into two quick three-and-outs and holding the Tigers to minus-10 yards on those possessions. Despite the early stands, Clemson struck first and carried a 10-3 edge into the break while limiting LSU’s offense through most of the first half.
A pivotal moment before halftime arrived when LSU kept the offense on the field on fourth down at Clemson’s 13-yard line with 0:15 remaining in the second quarter. The attempt failed, and Clemson maintained its 10-3 lead.
The momentum flipped after the break. Nussmeier found a rhythm, orchestrating two touchdown drives that bridged the third quarter and early fourth, while LSU’s defense continued to compress Clemson’s rushing lanes and harass Klubnik in the pocket. On Clemson’s final possession, LSU denied a fourth-and-4 to seal the 17-10 outcome.
Nussmeier completed 28 of 38 attempts for 230 yards and a touchdown, efficiently managing the second half. Klubnik went 19 of 38 for 230 yards and threw one interception under steady pressure. Perkins, back healthy and in his edge role, logged a sack as LSU’s front consistently affected Clemson’s timing.
| Quarterback | Comp-Att | Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) | 28-38 | 230 | 1 | 0 |
| Cade Klubnik (Clemson) | 19-38 | 230 | 0 | 1 |
Personnel upgrades were evident. Virginia Tech transfer Mansoor Delane delivered a timely fourth-down pass breakup in the fourth quarter. On the line, transfers Bernard Gooden (USF), Jack Pyburn (Florida), and Patrick Payton (Florida State) elevated LSU’s depth and disruption up front.
Context & impact
Kelly had openly targeted the opener as a program benchmark after LSU dropped season-openers from 2020 through 2024. The staff even accented the facility with Clemson paw prints in the offseason to sharpen focus. Ending the skid on the road versus a top-5 opponent offers a credibility jolt for Kelly in Year 4.
For the Heisman discussion, the anticipated shootout never materialized. Even so, Nussmeier’s poised finish against an elite defensive front, coupled with a marquee road result, should weigh heavily in early polls and betting markets. Klubnik’s numbers were serviceable, but LSU’s rush and coverage synergy limited Clemson’s explosives.
Defensively, LSU had languished near the bottom of the SEC in key metrics two seasons ago and only showed modest gains last year under first-year coordinator Blake Baker. This opener suggested a more tangible leap: early dominance, situational stops, and a minimized run game against a high-level opponent.
The long-running “Death Valley” debate flickered again in the stands — Clemson’s mascot flashed a “Welcome to the real Death Valley” sign as the crowd roared. Both venues are among the sport’s loudest; LSU’s Tiger Stadium does seat roughly 20,000 more fans than Clemson’s Memorial Stadium, adding scale to the atmosphere comparison.
Official statements
We made the opener a specific, tangible goal for this team.
Brian Kelly, SEC media days (July 2025)
With control, a foot down, and a football move at the pylon, I’d have a touchdown.
Bill Lemonnier, ESPN/ABC rules analyst
Unconfirmed
- Whether sportsbooks officially moved Garrett Nussmeier to the Heisman favorite post-Week 1 was not immediately available.
- The officiating crew’s detailed postgame explanation of the overturned pylon play was not published at press time.
- Stadium capacity differences are approximate and may vary by configuration.
Bottom line
LSU didn’t win this with fireworks; it won with a composed quarterback, timely red-zone decisions late, and a defense that set the tone from the first series to the last stand. As opening statements go, it positions the Tigers squarely in the early College Football Playoff conversation and lowers Clemson’s margin for error the rest of the way.