Geaux Tigers; LSU states its case for national relevance with 17-10 upset of Clemson in Death Valley (VIDEO/AUDIO)

**The LSU defense was in the face and on the back of Clemson QB Cade Klubnik all night (Travis Bell/SIDELINE CAROLINA)**

Story by Nikki Hood

CLEMSON – The SEC reigns supreme once again over Clemson.

LSU handed Clemson a 17-10 loss Saturday night in Death Valley to drop Clemson to 0-1 on the season and 0-4 in its last four SEC contests dating back to 2024.

Clemson’s offense mustered just 261 total yards, and while LSU only managed 354 yards, the Bayou Bengals made the plays when it mattered most.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik was 19-of-38 for 230 yards and an interception, while LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was 28-of-38 for 230 yards and a touchdown. Adam Randall had five carries for 16 yards. Bryant Wesco, Jr. T.J. Moore and Tyler Brown all had four catches a piece.

On LSU’s second possession, Avieon Terrell knocked the ball loose with a forearm to Sharp Bauer’s chest, and Ricardo Jones picked it up and raced 24 yards to the LSU 24-yard line. Clemson’s offense went three and out, but Nolan Hauser’s 42-yard attempt was true for an early 3-0 Clemson lead with 8:57 to play in the first quarter.

After trading possessions for the rest of the first quarter, LSU had three plays go for double digit gains to move into plus territory. However, Will Heldt broke through for the first sack of his Clemson career to put LSU behind the sticks and force a 52-yard field goal that tied the game at 3-3 with 10:53 to play before halftime.

Klubnik and Clemson’s offense finally found its rhythm midway through the second quarter. Klubnik picked up five on first down on a called quarterback run, and on third down found TJ Moore open across the middle for a 26-yard gain to the LSU 44. Two plays later, Klubnik broke the defender’s ankles on a 7-yard run to the LSU sideline. He then found Wesco for a 21-yard pick up down to the four. Clemson pushed it down to the one and on fourth down brought in the jumbo package, including freshman offensive lineman Brayden Jacobs who came gave Adam Randall the extra push over the goal line for the first touchdown of the night and a 10-3 Clemson lead with 4:36 to go before intermission.

LSU drove down to the Clemson 12 late in the first half, but after LSU called its final timeout on 4^th-and-2, Ronan Hanafin jarred the ball loose for Kylon Griffin to pick up and end the threat and the half.

Clemson drove the ball down to the 30 on its first possession of the second half, but Hauser pushed the 48-yard attempt wide of the goal post.

LSU’s offense was immediately hit with a holding call in its first play of the second half, but after that they were hitting on all cylinders. The next two plays went for 39 and 14 yards, respectively to set LSU up in Clemson territory. On 3^rd-and-5 Nussmeier found Kyle Parker for a 16-yard gain to the five-yard line. A pass interference penalty on Ashton Hampton moved the ball to the two, and two plays later Caden Durham found paydirt to tie the game at 10-10 at the 8:59 mark of the third quarter.

Klubnik missed his target and threw his first pick of the game, but Clemson’s defense held up – and was aided by a reviewed completion that was overturned. An errant 46-yard field goal kept the game knotted at 10-10 with just over four minutes to go in the third quarter.

Clemson’s offense went three-and-out on its next possession setting LSU up on its own 27. Clemson’s defense thought it was off the field after an incomplete pass on third down, but a late pass interference flag gave LSU new life. Nussmeier methodically led LSU down the field over the next plays and found Trey’Dez Green in the endzone for a two-yard touchdown and LSU’s first lead of the game at 17-0 with 12:18 to play.