No. 9 LSU Stuns No. 4 Clemson in Season-Opening Thriller, 17-10

CLEMSON, SC - No. 9 LSU went on the road and delivered an early-season statement, shocking No. 4 Clemson 17-10 in Death Valley. The hard-fought victory not only gave Brian Kelly his first season-opening win as LSU’s head coach, but also solidified the Tigers as a legitimate contender in the national championship race.

The matchup lived up to its billing as a top-10 showdown, staying deadlocked at 10-10 entering the fourth quarter. That’s when LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier authored a drive that could define his season. After being roughed on a completion to Aaron Anderson, Nussmeier scrambled for a critical third-down conversion before firing an 8-yard touchdown strike to tight end Trey’Dez Green — a score that gave LSU a lead it would never relinquish.

Clemson had its opportunities late, but LSU’s defense refused to bend. The Tigers forced a turnover on downs, then a quick three-and-out, setting up one final Clemson chance. Quarterback Cade Klubnik delivered a clutch throw to T.J. Moore while taking a punishing hit, moving the offense into the red zone. But on fourth-and-4, star linebacker Harold Perkins brought relentless pressure, forcing an incompletion that sealed the win for LSU.

Against one of the nation’s toughest defenses, Nussmeier rose to the moment. He completed 28 of 38 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown, leaning on Anderson, who caught six passes for 99 yards, including a 39-yard strike. Freshman running back Caden Durham added 74 yards on the ground with a touchdown of his own, providing key balance to the offense.

Clemson’s Klubnik was efficient, throwing for 230 yards and spreading the ball to four different receivers who each caught four passes. But the Tigers’ ground game never materialized, managing just 31 yards on 20 carries, a glaring weakness that proved costly in the game’s biggest moments.

With the win, LSU leaves Clemson with momentum, validation, and perhaps most importantly — control of its postseason destiny.

Photo by: Kevin Magee/Bogalusa Trbiune

Much of the buildup to LSU vs. Clemson centered on the future of two potential NFL first-rounders: Cade Klubnik and Garrett Nussmeier. Both entered the season viewed as possible No. 1 overall picks in next year’s draft. After Saturday’s clash, it was Nussmeier who looked more like the quarterback ready to lead that conversation.

Early on, the LSU signal-caller struggled against Clemson’s vaunted defensive front, but he quickly settled in and began carving up the Tigers’ secondary. Nussmeier displayed poise under pressure and touch on his throws, including a gorgeous deep ball to Barion Brown that looked like a touchdown before being overturned on review. Standing tall against pass-rushers like Peter Woods and T.J. Parker, he looked unfazed, delivering the kind of throws that NFL scouts will circle on tape.

Photo by: Kevin Magee/Bogalusa Tribune

Klubnik, meanwhile, had a more uneven night. His third-quarter interception was costly and emblematic of a performance that never quite clicked. The Clemson quarterback has shown real growth since his rocky debut against Georgia two seasons ago, even holding his own against Texas in last year’s College Football Playoff. But against an aggressive LSU defense, he appeared to take a step back. Too often, Klubnik looked more comfortable running than reading coverages, finishing just 19 of 38 through the air.

It’s worth noting that he was dealt a tough hand: star receiver Antonio Williams exited early with a hamstring injury, leaving Klubnik without his top playmaker for most of the game. Still, the Tigers needed more consistency to secure a signature non-conference win, and Klubnik’s struggles proved pivotal.

For now, Nussmeier owns the edge in the much-hyped quarterback battle — and his stock may be trending upward in a hurry.