LSU Upsets Clemson in Battle of Dying Valley

Garrett Nussmeier threw a go-ahead 8-yard landing cross to Trey’Dez Inexperienced within the fourth quarter, and No. 9 LSU rallied previous fourth-ranked Clemson 17-10 on Saturday evening for its first season-opening win since 2019, when Joe Burrow led the Tigers to an undefeated season and a nationwide championship.

Nussmeier, who eclipsed 4,000 yards passing in his first 12 months as a starter in 2024 after biding his time behind Jayden Daniels, acquired higher as recreation went on, throwing for 134 of his 230 yards within the second half whereas main two landing drives.

Caden Durham rushed for 74 yards and a landing for LSU.

LSU, retooled with a extremely touted class of transfers, confirmed the psychological and bodily toughness that coach Brian Kelly was in search of after trailing 10-3 on the half.

LSU’s stifling protection restricted first-team preseason Related Press All-America quarterback Cade Klubnik to 19-of-38 passing for 230 yards and an interception.

With 4 1/2 minutes left, Clemson acquired the ball with an opportunity to tie the sport however didn’t handle a single first down with Klubnik beneath fixed strain.

LSU could not capitalize and needed to punt the ball again, giving Clemson another shot with 1:54 remaining.

Klubnik acquired Clemson to the LSU 15 earlier than a hurried cross on fourth-and-4 fell incomplete with a defender in his face.

It did not assist that Clemson misplaced star vast receiver Antonio Williams, a second-team preseason AP All-American, to an damage early within the first quarter.

It was anticipated to be a high-scoring matchup that includes a pair of Heisman Trophy hopefuls at QB and two of the nation’s prime offenses from a 12 months in the past.

However defenses set the tone early, with the one first-half landing approaching a 1-yard plunge by Clemson’s Adam Randall on a fourth-down gamble by coach Dabo Swinney. Clemson’s protection compelled two fumbles by LSU vast receivers within the first half, together with Ronan Hanafin’s strip of Chris Hilton Jr. on the Clemson 13 within the closing seconds, preserving a 10-3 halftime lead.

However the momentum modified early within the third quarter after Clemson’s Nolan Hauser, the hero of final 12 months’s Atlantic Coast Convention championship win, missed a 48-yard discipline objective.

Nussmeier started carving up Clemson’s protection on the following drive with completions of 36 and 14 yards to Aaron Anderson. LSU missed a discipline objective, however got here again to attain on its subsequent possession when Nussmeier discovered Inexperienced in the fitting nook of the tip zone.

Ring of honor

Clemson honored its newest Ring of Honor member, Michael Dean Perry, at halftime.

Takeaways

LSU: The Tigers’ run protection was dominant, holding Clemson to 31 yards on 20 carries.

Clemson: The damage to Williams damage, however receiver is among the crew’s deepest positions with Swinney saying earlier this offseason that any of six gamers may begin. That depth might be examined transferring ahead.

Up subsequent

Each groups are again in motion subsequent Saturday, with LSU at dwelling in opposition to Louisiana Tech and Clemson internet hosting Troy.

Reporting by The Related Press.

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