After upsetting Clemson in Week 1, LSU football climbed to No. 3 in the latest AP Poll. The Tigers defeated the Tigers 17-10 in the “Battle of Death Valley.” Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and center Braelin Moore earned SEC Player of the Week honors for their standout efforts in the win.
Nussmeier was sharp, completing 28-of-38 passes for 232 yards and a touchdown. Making his first start for LSU, Moore anchored the offensive line by playing all 70 snaps and helping limit Clemson to just one sack. Defensively, cornerback Mansoor Delane was recognized as the Bednarik National Player of the Week. The Virginia Tech transfer recorded two tackles, an interception, and two pass breakups, spearheading one of LSU’s strongest defensive outings against a Top 10 opponent in recent memory.
Photo Cred: MSN
As a team, LSU totaled 25 first downs, 354 yards of offense, and held possession for more than 37 minutes. The victory strengthened the Tigers’ case as a legitimate national title contender. It also marked just the fifth time in program history that LSU has defeated a Top 4 team on the road.
Clemson, meanwhile, mustered only 261 yards of offense and was shut out in the second half. LSU scored a touchdown in each of the final two quarters to secure the win. Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney pointed to quarterback Cade Klubnik’s struggles as a decisive factor. Klubnik finished 19-of-38 passing for 230 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception.
Clemson recorded just a single sack due to LSU having to extend a play rather. LSU recorded over 100 yards rushing, 74 from Caden Durham. It was enough to get a job done, especially given that one of LSU’s two touchdowns came from a gap run in short yardage, something that has been a bugaboo for previous teams.
Photo Cred: Oregon Live
“Our biggest issue against LSU was that our best player didn’t play well,” Swinney told reporters Tuesday, per WYFF. “(No.) 2 will respond, I promise you that.”
The win was particularly significant for LSU, which had lost its previous five season openers, including three under current head coach Brian Kelly. Kelly was visibly frustrated after last year’s opening loss to USC, even slamming his fist on the table in his postgame press conference. Is this the year that LSU finally gets back to the National Championship.
